about five o'clock
It touched Mr. Dent exceedingly , and he was yet more touched and reconciled to the incident when his host said simply , remaining on his knees , with eyes closed and his clear cut tranquil face upturned : `` I ask your blessing , sir . '' The Rector 's voice trembled a little as he gave it . And then with real gratitude and a good deal of sincere emotion he shook his friend 's hand , and rustled out from the cool house into the sunlit garden , greeting Isabel who was walking up and down outside a little pensively , and took the field-path that led towards the hamlet where his sick folk were expecting him . As he walked back about five o'clock towards the village he noticed there was thunder in the air , and was aware of a physical oppression , but in his heart it was morning and the birds singing . The talk earlier in the afternoon had shown him how , in the midst of the bitterness of the Cup , to find the fragrance where the Saviour 's lips had rested and that was joy to him . And again , his true pastor 's heart had been gladdened by the way his ministrations had been received that afternoon . A sour old man who had always scowled at him for an upstart , in his foolish old desire to be loyal to the priest who had held the benefice before him , had melted at last and asked his pardon and God 's for having treated him so ill ; and he had prepared the old man for death with great contentment to them both , and had left him at peace with God and man .