five o’clock
The children were always at the windows , pretending to read books , but in reality watching the people below . At about four o'clock their papa generally awoke , and demanded a succession of hymn tunes played on the piano . When the weather permitted , the lower sash was opened a little , and the neighbours were indulged with the performance of `` Vital Spark , '' the father `` coming in '' now and then with a bass note or two at the end where he was tolerably certain of the harmony . At five o'clock a prophecy of the incoming tea brought us some relief from the contemplation of the landscape or brick-scape . I say `` some relief , '' for meals at M'Kay 's were a little disagreeable . His wife was an honest , good little woman , but so much attached to him and so dependent on him that she was his mere echo . She had no opinions which were not his , and whenever he said anything which went beyond the ordinary affairs of the house , she listened with curious effort , and generally responded by a weakened repetition of M'Kay 's own observations .