six o'clock in the evening
So passed the time until the dinner bell rang . By the express stipulation of the doctor himself , it was arranged that Traverse should always dine with his family . After dinner an hour -- which the doctor called a digestive hour -- was spent in loitering about and then the studies were resumed . At six o'clock in the evening Traverse took leave of the doctor and his fair daughter and started for home . `` Be sure to persuade your mother to come , Traverse , '' said Clara . `` She will not need persuasion ; she will be only too glad to come , miss , '' said Traverse , with a deep bow , turning and hurrying away toward home . With `` winged feet '' he ran down the wooded hill and got into the highway , and hastened on with such speed that in half an hour he reached his mother 's little cottage .