seven o'clock at night
-- Your affectionate sister , `` ALICE . '' Next morning saw a very happy boy take his place in the train , which would land him at Pendlepoint in the evening . It was a long , tiresome journey , especially to an impatient being like Tom . But it came to an end , as all things pleasant or unpleasant must , and he found himself at the little old-fashioned depot towards seven o'clock at night . There was no one to meet him , of course , because no one , not even Miss Keane , expected him so soon . He ran all the way to the parsonage , and knocked at the door , only to find Abbie in sole possession . `` The parson he be down town , Master Tom , '' she said , `` and Miss Carrie she be at Thankful Rest .