half past two in the afternoon
Laugh softly to yourself , Experience Book , and flutter your leaves just a bit as I write , that of their own volition , Miss Lavinia and Martin have drifted from whist to piquet , as by natural transition , and Evan is free for garden saunterings once more . * * * * * _ June _ 25 . Yesterday was the day of the festival , and it was neither sultry , foggy , nor brought to a sudden stop by a thunder shower , as so often happens at this season . By half past two in the afternoon the country teams could be seen winding Bluff ward by all the various roads , and before three , the hour at which the gates were to be opened , every available hitching place was occupied , and the line of vehicles extended well up one of the back lanes that was bounded by a convenient rail fence . Horace Bradford arrived home at Pine Ridge night before last . He had expected to see Sylvia and Miss Lavinia at Rockcliffe . Missing them , and not knowing the cause of their change of plan , very naturally his first thought was to drive down to Oak-lands and make a double call .