two o'clock in the afternoon
Again she realized the finality of something -- the breaking of the old ties , the helpless sense of groping for what lay hidden , but none the less real , just on before . The next day was gloriously clear and threateningly warm . Such days do not come to Kenmore in September except to lure the unheeding to acts of folly . And at two o'clock in the afternoon Priscilla , from the kitchen door , saw Jerry-Jo paddling his canoe in still , Indian fashion around Lone Tree Island . Theodora was off erranding , and Nathaniel , as far as human knowledge went , was in some distant field ; he had started off directly after dinner . Priscilla was ready for her adventure . With the natural desire of youth , she had decked herself out in her modest finery -- a stiffly starched white gown of a cheap but pretty design , a fluff of soft lace at throat and wrist , and , over it , the old red cape that years before had added to her appearance as she danced on the rocks .