five o'clock
Benton ripped out an angry oath , passed his men , and strode away down the path . Stella fell in behind him , wakened to a sudden uneasiness at the wrathful set of his features . She barely kept in sight , so rapidly did he move . Sam Davis had smoke pouring from the _ Chickamin 's _ stack , but the kitchen pipe lifted no blue column , though it was close to five o'clock . Benton made straight for the cookhouse . Stella followed , a trifle uncertainly . A glimpse past Charlie as he came out showed her Matt staggering aimlessly about the kitchen , red-eyed , scowling , muttering to himself .