six o'clock
` Nor shall I be able to mistake , thank Heaven , when I arrive , ' he murmured . It gave him peculiar satisfaction to think that the proposed marriage , like his first , was of the nature of setting in order things long awry , and not a momentary freak of fancy . Nothing hindered the smoothness of his journey , which seemed not half its former length . Though dark , it was only between five and six o'clock when the bulky chimneys of Mrs. Hall 's residence appeared in view behind the sycamore-tree . On second thoughts he retreated and put up at the ale - house as in former time ; and when he had plumed himself before the inn mirror , called for something to drink , and smoothed out the incipient wrinkles of care , he walked on to the Knap with a quick step . That evening Sally was making ` pinners ' for the milkers , who were now increased by two , for her mother and herself no longer joined in milking the cows themselves . But upon the whole there was little change in the household economy , and not much in its appearance , beyond such minor particulars as that the crack over the window , which had been a hundred years coming , was a trifle wider ; that the beams were a shade blacker ; that the influence of modernism had supplanted the open chimney corner by a grate ; that Rebekah , who had worn a cap when she had plenty of hair , had left it off now she had scarce any , because it was reported that caps were not fashionable ; and that Sally 's face had naturally assumed a more womanly and experienced cast .