six o'clock
With this injunction he left her and went out to the cow-barn . He saw Jotham Powell walking up the hill through the morning mist , and the familiar sight added to his growing conviction of security . As the two men were clearing out the stalls Jotham rested on his pitch-fork to say : `` Dan ' l Byrne 's goin ' over to the Flats to-day noon , an ' he c 'd take Mattie 's trunk along , and make it easier ridin ' when I take her over in the sleigh . '' Ethan looked at him blankly , and he continued : `` Mis ' Frome said the new girl 'd be at the Flats at five , and I was to take Mattie then , so 's ' t she could ketch the six o'clock train for Stamford . '' Ethan felt the blood drumming in his temples . He had to wait a moment before he could find voice to say : `` Oh , it ai n't so sure about Mattie 's going -- '' `` That so ? '' said Jotham indifferently ; and they went on with their work .