four o'clock
The fire was always in its best beauty ; the hearth guiltless of ashes ; the temperature genial whatever the weather out of doors might be ; the books , the papers , the table , in their wonted order or disorder , as fresh as if dust never fell . But the fairy of the place was always out of sight . The 29th of November came on Wednesday , which permitted Mrs. Stoutenburgh to have her dinner at an earlier hour than would else have been possible . To this dinner the two older guests were invited -- the boys were only to come to supper ; and four o'clock was the time . Till near three , studies and reading were in full force , but then other duties claimed attention . `` If I could only sit next you at dinner , Miss Faith , '' Mr. Linden said as he shut up the books , `` we could talk French all the time ! -- but there is no hope of that .