a quarter before six
At five o'clock the next afternoon Mrs. Kelsey put on the treasured black silk dress , sacred for a dozen years to church , weddings , and funerals . Nathan , warm and uncomfortable in his Sunday suit and stiff collar , had long since driven to the station for Alma . The house , brushed and scrubbed into a state of speckless order , was thrown wide open to welcome the returning daughter . At a quarter before six she came . `` Mother , you darling ! '' cried a voice , and Mrs. Kelsey found herself in the clasp of strong young arms , and gazing into a flushed , eager face . `` Do n't you look good !