about ten o'clock
Hetty had to manage everything downstairs , and half-supply Molly 's place too , while that good damsel waited on her mistress , and she seemed to throw herself so entirely into her new functions , working with a grave steadiness which was new in her , that Mr. Poyser often told Adam she was wanting to show him what a good housekeeper he would have ; but he `` doubted the lass was o'erdoing it -- she must have a bit o ' rest when her aunt could come downstairs . '' This desirable event of Mrs. Poyser 's coming downstairs happened in the early part of February , when some mild weather thawed the last patch of snow on the Binton Hills . On one of these days , soon after her aunt came down , Hetty went to Treddleston to buy some of the wedding things which were wanting , and which Mrs. Poyser had scolded her for neglecting , observing that she supposed `` it was because they were not for th ' outside , else she 'd ha ' bought 'em fast enough . '' It was about ten o'clock when Hetty set off , and the slight hoar-frost that had whitened the hedges in the early morning had disappeared as the sun mounted the cloudless sky . Bright February days have a stronger charm of hope about them than any other days in the year . One likes to pause in the mild rays of the sun , and look over the gates at the patient plough-horses turning at the end of the furrow , and think that the beautiful year is all before one . The birds seem to feel just the same : their notes are as clear as the clear air .