four o'clock
They durst not raise their voices , but the birds were their choir , and as they murmured their _ Gloria in Excelsis _ , the sweet notes rang out in that unconscious praise . When the blessing of peace had been given there was a long hush , and no one rose till after the vessels had been replaced in their casket , and Stead was climbing up with it again to the hiding place . Then there was a move to the front of the hut , where Rusha was just awakening , and Emlyn feigned to be still asleep . It was not yet four o'clock , but the sweet freshness was still around everything . Young Mistress Alice Rivett and her brother were enchanted to gather flowers , and ran after their hosts to see the cows milked , and the goats , pigs , and poultry fed , sights new to them ; but the elder ladies shivered and were glad to warm themselves at the little fire Patience hastily lighted , after cleaning the hut as fast as she could , by rolling up the bedding , and fairly carrying Ben out to finish his night 's rest in the cow-house . The guests had brought their provisions , and insisted that their young hosts should eat with them , accepting only the warm milk that Patience brought in her pail , and they drank from the horn cups of the family . Dr. Eales observed to the Cavalier that it was a true _ Agape _ or love-feast like those of the ancient Church , and the gentleman 's melancholy , weather-beaten face relaxed into a smile as he sighed and hoped that the same endurance as that of the Christians of old would be granted in this time of persecution .