about
five o'clock
Not that she required it of them -- it was graciously accorded her as to the patriarchs of old , and she seemed to belong to a holier age . Her soft white hair fell over her brow , and was drawn back under a large white frilled cap that surrounded her head like a halo , and the placid countenance that beamed beneath it inspired a feeling of reverence . She was called by all the household `` the grandmother , '' and was dearly loved by them all ; but the filial love of her son was far above that usually accorded to aged mothers , and it was easy to see how it warmed her heart . Such was the household into which our young travellers were ushered about five o'clock on a beautiful summer day . Mr. McDonald had been watching for their appearance for some hours , and his hearty greetings were repeated by the rest of the family . The farmer 's daughters , Maggie and Lizzie , received Gertrude with the cordiality of an old friend , and though at first they seemed a little shy with the strangers from `` abroad '' this soon wore away , and they found their visitors quite as amiable as if they had been born on the same soil as themselves . As soon as they had been refreshed , outwardly and inwardly , they were taken into the room where `` the grandmother '' sat in her large , comfortable chair , and were introduced to her with much solemnity ; but they only waited for the few words of welcome to each , and then passed into the pleasant sitting-room adjoining .