nearly six o'clock
And then the old lady turned to her knitting again ; indeed her fingers had been flying all the while she talked . Mr. Templeton looked at her curiously , and wondered if she disliked children . `` I 'd as lief have 'em ` round the house as her birds and kittens anyway , '' he reflected ; for she kept a magpie , three cats and a canary ; and these pets had not been always agreeable guests at the hotel . It was now nearly six o'clock , and savory odors from the kitchen mingled with the balmy breath of the flowers stealing in from the lawn . The Dunlee party had barely time for hasty toilets when the gong sounded for dinner . The Templeton dining-room was large and held several tables . The Dunlees had the longest of these , the one near the west window .