about six in the
evening
We too told him of his mother 's excessive grief , as much , perhaps , with a selfish design of hastening him on his way as anything else , for we had our misgivings about Mick 's reception . There were plenty of people to tell us of the prodigal 's welcome . The village had buzzed all day with the dramatic sensation of Mick 's return , but no one had told Mrs. Sheehy -- though every one was on tiptoe for the hour of Mick 's arrival . He came about six in the evening , and having passed through the village was escorted by a band of the curious towards his mother 's cottage . Mrs. Sheehy lives in a by-road . On one side are the woods , on the other the fields , and at this hour of the May evening the woods were full of golden aisles of glory . Now Mrs. Sheehy had come out of her house to give a bit to the pig , when she saw a group of people advancing towards her down the sunshine and shadow of the road .