one o'clock
He laid his hand on the boy 's head as if he were a young lad again , and said simply , `` Do n't disappoint God , my boy , '' and went out , leaving his son sitting there almost overcome by his father 's powerful appeal , but not yet ready to yield himself to the still small voice that spoke within even , more powerfully , and whispered to him , `` My son , give Me thine heart . Cease to do evil ; learn to do well . Cleanse thy ways and follow after righteousness . '' It was one o'clock when Mr. Hardy came downstairs , and as he came into the room where Mrs. Hardy and the girls were sitting , he happened to think of some business matters between himself and his only brother , who lived in the next town , twenty miles down the road . He spoke of the matter to Mrs. Hardy , and she suggested that Will go down on the three o'clock train with the papers Mr. Hardy wanted to have his brother look over , and come back on the six o'clock in time for dinner . Clara asked if she could n't go too , and Bessie added her request , as she had not seen her aunt for some time . Mr. Hardy saw no objection to their going , only he reminded them that he wanted them all back at six .