about four o'clock
When he did call to her she needed only nod or smile ; he turned to point out some rare view that appealed to him , a vista worth her seeing , a cascade or a fall of cliff , or a ferny nook , or perhaps a late ceanothus - blossom . He pointed out a scampering Douglas squirrel and had her hearken to a quail . `` We 're already in the finest timber belt in the world , '' he told her , full of enthusiastic loyalty to his beloved mountains . Thus , he leading the way , she following with head down and shoulders drooping , they came about four o'clock to a small meadow , cliff-ringed , studded with big yellow pines and here and there graced with an incense cedar . Stopping in the open , sitting sideways in the saddle , he waited for her . `` And what do you think of this , Miss Gloria ? '' he called gaily as her horse thrust his black nose through the alders down by the creek .