a few minutes
before five o'clock
`` Lovely . Mc -- Mr. Armitage can take us to the starting place at Easton 's Beach and then pick us up there when we get back . After that -- '' `` Hoop-la , '' laughed Sara , and the two young women -- nothing but school girls now -- fell into each other 's arms , hugging joyously . When Armitage appeared again at the _ porte cochère _ a few minutes before five o'clock , two very changed , but merry young women awaited him . Anne flashed her eyes at Armitage . `` To Easton 's Beach , McCall , '' she said sweetly . Easton 's Beach was at the height of the day 's exodus of excursionists to Providence , Fall River , Taunton and elsewhere , as Armitage drew alongside the sun-baked board walk in front of the main bathing pavilion .