about four P.M.
Shrewd woman , with all her gentle kindliness and tact , was Mrs. Stannard . She had sent word to all her cronies of the interesting event and suggested a call . More significance , therefore , would be attached to a neglect to an acceptance of the hint . Perhaps this is how it happened that just about four P.M. , when most people were gone , Mrs. Sumter came quietly , cheerily , convoying her two girls , and presently Bob Lanier was smiling into the eyes of Miriam Arnold , whose hand he took last and clung to longest of the three . Not since the night of the fire had he set eyes on her . Not since the night of the dance had he spoken with her , and he was startled to see the change . Bravely though she bore herself , the flush that mantled her cheek was but momentary , and left her pallid and wan .