noon
`` Indeed we should ! '' said Mrs. Travilla earnestly . `` How it would have cheered and helped them in their toils and privations and struggles if they could have foreseen the great results visible in these days ! '' It was not yet noon when they reached Newburgh , pausing in the southern suburbs , where , on a hill overlooking the river , stood a gray old building which the captain pointed out as the Hasbrouck House . They had soon climbed the hill and were standing on the porch , thinking with a thrill of feeling , as they glanced about them and down at the river , that here Washington had stood in days long gone by and gazed upon the same scenes , probably but little changed since then . Grandma Elsie , the captain , and Mr. Leland had all been there before , and presently pointed out to the others various historic places -- Pollopel 's Island , Fishkill , New Windsor , Plumb Point , and the Beacon Hills ; also , through the gateway in the Highlands formed by Breakneck and Butter hills , glimpse of distant West Point and the mountains that surround it . Then they went inside the dwelling , passing first into a large square room which they were told was used by Washington as a dining hall and for his public audiences .