eight o'clock
At six o'clock that evening Dic arrived at Billy Little 's store from his southern expedition . Finding the store door locked , he got the key from the landlord of the inn , in whose charge Billy had left it , went to the post-office , and rejoiced to find a letter from Rita . He eagerly opened it -- and rode home more dead than alive . Rita 's wedding would take place that night at eight o'clock . The thing was hopeless . He showed the letter to his mother , and asked that he might be left alone with his sorrow . Mrs. Bright kissed him and retired to her bed in the adjoining room , leaving Dic sitting upon the hearth log beside the fire .