Twelve o’clock
Mrs. Mervale bit her lips , looked thoughtful , and at last coldly replied , `` Certainly , Mr. Mervale ; your friends do right to make themselves at home . '' With that she lighted a candle , and moved majestically from the room . When she returned , the two friends had vanished into Mr. Mervale 's study . Twelve o'clock struck , -- one o'clock , two ! Thrice had Mrs. Mervale sent into the room to know , -- first , if they wanted anything ; secondly , if Mr. Glyndon slept on a mattress or feather-bed ; thirdly , to inquire if Mr. Glyndon 's trunk , which he had brought with him , should be unpacked . And to the answer to all these questions was added , in a loud voice from the visitor , -- a voice that pierced from the kitchen to the attic , -- `` Another bowl ! stronger , if you please , and be quick with it ! ''