seven o'clock
And , turning on his heel , he marched off towards the kitchen , with the air of a man who had solved vast economic problems . The August sun was shining down from a cloudless sky . He had risen betimes that morning ; but he was not the first one up in Blue Creek , for the dim light of the dawn had found Ned and Grant Everett dressed and flying about the house , while , farther up the street , Marjorie was peering out through the window blinds , to assure herself that it was to be a pleasant day . By seven o'clock the Burnams , too , were stirring ; and soon afterwards Allie and the boys appeared in the dining-room at the Everetts ' , to exchange noisy congratulations over the fine weather . The day had at length come when they were to start upon their long-delayed camping trip . For the past week , the young people had been in a state of ferment , while their elders were in much the same condition , even to Mrs. Pennypoker , whose excitement was largely mixed with dread at the thought of the Bohemian life before her . The engineering camp , which they were to join , was now pitched beside the Beaverhead River ; and Mr. Burnam , who had been out with his party much of the time since Charlie 's accident , had come back to Blue Creek two days before , announcing that all was in readiness for their reception ; so the hour for their departure was fixed upon .