five o'clock
But invitations to dine at the fort had frustrated this plan , and so it was arranged that Barney McGuire , one of the ranchmen , should come up and carry the box over to the reservation late that afternoon ; and as the short winter day progressed , and Molly found that she must have a little more time to finish off the table-cover she wanted to take up to the Colonel 's wife , she said to her mother , -- `` Instead of going on with you and papa at five o'clock , let Barney escort me to the fort after he leaves Wallula 's present ; that will give me plenty of time to finish the cover , and plenty of time to get to the dinner in season . '' `` Very well , '' answered Mrs. Elliston ; `` but you must promise me to start with Barney as soon as he comes back for you , whether the cover is finished or not . You must n't be late . '' At five o'clock , when Captain Elliston and his wife rode off , Molly was working away at her cover with the greatest industry . Now and then , as she worked on , she glanced up at the clock . If everything went smoothly , -- if the silk did n't knot or the lace did n't pucker , -- she would be through long before Barney came back for her . But presently she thought , where _ was _ Barney .