one o'clock
Above them were suspended at least some twenty cages , containing as many canaries , according to a fancy of the district , specially cherished by Mr. Helstone 's clerk , who delighted in the piercing song of these birds , and knew that amidst confusion of tongues they always carolled loudest . These tables , be it understood , were not spread for the twelve hundred scholars to be assembled from the three parishes , but only for the patrons and teachers of the schools . The children 's feast was to be spread in the open air . At one o'clock the troops were to come in ; at two they were to be marshalled ; till four they were to parade the parish ; then came the feast , and afterwards the meeting , with music and speechifying in the church . Why Briarfield was chosen for the point of rendezvous -- the scene of the _ fête _ -- should be explained . It was not because it was the largest or most populous parish -- Whinbury far outdid it in that respect ; nor because it was the oldest , antique as were the hoary church and rectory -- Nunnely 's low-roofed temple and mossy parsonage , buried both in coeval oaks , outstanding sentinels of Nunnwood , were older still . It was simply because Mr. Helstone willed it so , and Mr. Helstone 's will was stronger than that of Boultby or Hall ; the former _ could _ not , the latter _ would _ not , dispute a point of precedence with their resolute and imperious brother .