five o'clock
For , like a wise , as well as kind , mother , Mrs. Taggard desired to make their childhood a happy one ; something to look back upon with pleasure through their whole life . Neither was John forgotten ; by the aid of some old garments , for a pattern , she got him an entire new suit , together with stuff for dressing-gown and slippers . The day on which Mrs. Taggard expected her husband 's return was a very busy one ; but at last the carpets were down , the paper hung , and everything in the best of order . He was expected on the five o'clock train , and Mrs. Taggard set the children , attired in their pretty new dresses , at the window to watch for papa , while she went below to assist Jane in preparing something extra for supper . She had just returned when Mr. Taggard was seen approaching the house . It looked so different from what it did when he left , that he stared at it in amazement , and would have hesitated about entering , had it not been for the name on the newly burnished door-plate . But he was still more astonished when he entered .