about three o'clock
The boys sold thirty melons at ten cents apiece and disposed of the most of the apples at two for a cent and pears at a cent apiece ; so that the combined profits amounted to rather over seven dollars . Sales were so good , that they had disposed of their entire stock by three o'clock in the afternoon . The polls were not closed , however , till sunset , that is to say voting could legally continue till that time . Halse had called on Addison for a division of the money , at about three o'clock , and received his share ; he then told Addison that he was going home . Addison preferred to remain , to learn how the town had voted ; for he was much interested in a `` temperance movement '' which was agitating that portion of the State that year . The Old Squire had returned home , shortly after noon , and gone into the field to see to the digging of the potatoes . When we came in to supper , at six o'clock , Addison was just coming up the lane , on his way home .