half past six o'clock
I presume she 's a widow , '' was all the comfort Celia could give him . `` Then she 'll stay all winter ! '' cried Just with such hopeless inflection that his sister laughed . When she went over at half past six o'clock , to light the fire , she found the three visitors gathered in the living-room . She had hoped they might stay up-stairs at least until the first welcome had been given to Charlotte and Andrew . But it turned out that Mrs. Peyton had inquired of Mrs. Fields the exact hour of the expected arrival , and presumably had considered that since the Peytons represented Doctor Churchill 's side of the house , their part in his welcome home was not to be gainsaid . Mr. Birch , Jeff , Just , and Mrs. Birch with little Ellen , presently appeared .