half past four
David had driven the day before with his own horse and chaise to a town some twenty miles away , and there left his horse at a tavern to rest for the return trip , for Kate would have it that they must leave the house in high style . So the finest equipage the town afforded had been secured to bear them on the first stage of their journey , with a portly negro driver and everything according to the custom of the greatest of the land . Nothing that Kate desired about the arrangements had been left undone . The household was fully astir by half past four , for the family breakfast was to be at six promptly , that all might be cleared away and in readiness for the early arrival of the various aunts and uncles and cousins and friends who would `` drive over '' from the country round about . It would have been something Madam Schuyler would never have been able to get over if aught had been awry when a single uncle or aunt appeared upon the scene , or if there seemed to be the least evidence of fluster and nervousness . The rosy sunlight in the east was mixing the morning with fresher air , and new odors for the new day that was dawning , when Marcia awoke . The sharp click of spoons and dishes , the voices of the maids , the sizzle , sputter , odor of frying ham and eggs , mingled with the early chorus of the birds , and calling to life of all living creatures , like an intrusion upon nature .