about five o'clock
Our old friends were just now disposed in the following manner : -- The Major was at home . Mary Hawker was staying with him . Doctor Mulhaus and Halbert staying at Major Brentwood 's , while Captain Brentwood was away with Sam and Tom Troubridge to Sydney ; and , having been absent some weeks , had been expected home now for a day or two . This was the day they came home , riding slowly up to the porch about five o'clock . When all greetings were done , and they were sat down beside the others , Jim opened the ball by asking , `` What news , father ? '' `` What a particularly foolish question ! '' said the Captain .