eight o'clock
murmured Billy again . This time there was a little sound after the words , which Aunt Hannah would have taken for a sob if she had not known that it must have been a laugh . Then Billy was gone . At eight o'clock the doorbell rang , and a minute later Rosa came up to say that Mr. Bertram Henshaw was down-stairs and wished to see Mrs. Stetson . Mrs. Stetson went down at once . `` Why , my dear boy , '' she exclaimed , as she entered the room ; `` Billy said you had a banquet on for to-night ! '' `` Yes , I know ; but -- I did n't go . ''