three
o'clock
The city courtship may appear the most genteel in the splendid parlor , with the lover on a sofa displaying his stocks and certificates of wealth to the matron , and through her winning his sweetheart ; while the maiden at her piano opens absorbing ears to catch his wooing words ; but all must confess the country courtship makes the best picture , with the ruddy maiden in the farm-yard , in her cool sun-bonnet and clean checkered frock ; the bloom of the season on her cheeks , and its fragrance in her breath ; making music with sweet streams in her milk-pail ; while her lover at her elbow , or leaning over the wall , as jocund as a bobolink , tells her of his horses and cows ; his wheat-lands and meadow-lands ; his berry-fields ; his melon-patch , and maple-orchard ; his nice little rural home , and his pleasant love of her . The country wedding also makes a charming picture of one of the happiest scenes under heaven ; and it was determined by the Fabenses that Fanny 's wedding should lack no joy or enjoyment which they had means to give . The season was never more lovely , and the fruits of the garden , orchard , and field were never more abundant . The commodious farm-house had been re-painted , and it looked as well as new ; its doors could open to a goodly company , and a goodly company came before three o'clock to make merry with them . Neighbor Nimblet and his wife were the first of the wedding-guests who entered ; and Nancy and her husband entered soon after . Then came Uncle Walter over the fields , a-foot , with his coat on his arm , in his new wide-brimmed hat , long Lon ` on-brown vest , with gilt buttons and scarlet back ; his white wristbands turned up , and white collar turned down ; enjoying , in the tidiest way , a clean little quid of Cavendish , and selecting and cooking a story for the feast . And Aunt Huldah came with him in the neatest cap , the nicest dress , and the brightest gold beads that any old lady wore .