quarter before
seven
` Zekiel more than kept his promise , for they reached Deacon Mason 's barn at exactly twenty-nine minutes past five . Hiram was on hand to put up the horses , and told Quincy in a whisper that some of the boys thought it was mighty mean not to invite the Pettengill folks and their boarder . The sharp air had whetted the appetites of the travellers during their six-mile ride , and they did full justice to the nicely-cooked food that the Deacon 's wife placed before them . Supper was over at quarter before seven , and in half an hour the dishes were washed and put away and the quartette of young folks adjourned to the parlor . Quincy took his seat at the piano and began playing a popular air . `` Oh , let us sing something , '' cried Huldy . `` You know I have been taking lessons from Professor Strout , and he says I have improved greatly .