half past ten
And for a few hours the parsonage was as calm and peaceful as though it were not designed for the housing of merry minister 's daughters . Aunt Grace sat down-stairs darning stockings . The girls ' intentions had been the best in the world , but in less than a year the family darning had fallen entirely into the capable and willing hands of the gentle chaperon . It was half past ten . The girls had just seen their heroine rescued from a watery grave and married to her bold preserver by a minister who happened to be writing a sermon on the beach -- no mention of how the license was secured extemporaneously -- and with sighs of gratified sentiment they lay happily on the bed thinking it all over . And then , from beneath the peach trees clustered on the south side of the parsonage , a burst of melody arose . `` Good morning , Carrie , how are you this morning ? ''