half past five
So when the auctioneer boomed `` Sold for forty dollars , '' and in answer to his request for the buyer 's name Bob said clearly , `` Doctor Guerin , '' in his own language , the man from Petria was `` just plain sick . '' After the household things were sold -- and Betty noted with satisfaction that the three tubs and the ingrain carpet went to the woman who had so coveted them -- she and Bob went out to the barn and watched the horses and cows , wagons , harnesses and farm machinery sold . It was an absorbing and colorful scene , and the boy and girl , fascinated , lingered till the last item was checked off . Then , with a start , Bob heard a farmer announce that it was half past five . `` Oh dear ! '' sighed Betty nervously , `` you ought to be milking this minute . Oh , Bob , let 's not go home !