About four o'clock
The summons at this unusual hour meant that something out of the ordinary had happened . It was the master 's order , and as they all came trooping in with inquiring faces , and stood grouped near the back porch , Mrs. Grundy appeared , and told them briefly that their young mistress was coming that afternoon , and that there would be no more work that day . They cheered the news with many a lusty shout , and the pickaninnies rolled over each other , and the youths turned handsprings , while upon each face was a look of high good humor . About four o'clock Mrs. Grundy and I repaired to the settee to watch the road , which could be seen for perhaps a mile , winding through the valley . Then around the corner of the house began to appear the vassals of this Kentucky lord . The stain of the soil had been washed from their hands and faces , and their cotton shirts were clean , though patched and worn . The negresses , also , appeared , with their kinky hair done up in multitudes of `` horns , '' and tied with bits of the most extravagant-colored ribbon that their wearers possessed .