six o'clock
This inn , `` The Old Continental , '' had recovered from its moribund condition with the advent of the automobile , and was often the scene of gay supper parties from Warwick . It had received a new coat of yellow paint and a new roof , but the Society for the Preservation of Colonial Landmarks had decreed that the figure of the soldier on the sign-board should remain untouched by the brush . Thus the uniform that had once shone so spick and span in streaks of buff and blue would better recall the ragged regimentals of the well-known poem . The distance from Warwick was ten miles , but it still lacked something of six o'clock when Emmet drove into the stable , blanketed his mare , and lifted his companion from the sleigh . He led her through a side door and into a small room that had formerly been the kitchen . Here , in a huge brick fireplace , blazing logs threw out a dancing light that glinted on the polished mahogany table and quaint chairs , and disclosed the dark red walls and brown beams , as well as several highly coloured English coaching scenes . Lena seated herself close to the blaze , and glanced up at the sooty arch above her head with small appreciation of the historic memories of the place , of the archaeological interest inherent in the swinging crane and twisted andirons .