ten o'clock
The Teacher was back , wearing the loveliest dress , and nicer than ever , and she had invited folks to come to see her . Kate and George had scarcely finished their supper , when the first pair of shy little girls came for their kisses and to bring `` Teacher '' a bunch of flowers and a pretty pocket handkerchief from each . They came in flocks , each with flowers , most with a towel or some small remembrance ; then the elders began to come , merchants with comforts , blankets , and towels , hardware men with frying pans , flat irons , and tinware . By ten o'clock almost everyone in Walden had carried Kate some small gift , wished her joy all the more earnestly , because they felt the chances of her ever having it were so small , and had gone their way , leaving her feeling better than she had thought possible . She slipped into her room alone and read two letters , one a few typewritten lines from John Jardine , saying he had been at Hartley , also at Walden , and having found her married and gone , there was nothing for him to do but wish that the man she married had it in his heart to guard her life and happiness as he would have done . He would never cease to love her , and if at any time in her life there was anything he could do for her , would she please let him know . Kate dropped the letter on her dresser , with a purpose , and let it lie there .