twelve o'clock
That first evening in Market Square Place passed on the whole more cheerfully than might have been expected . Miss Mildmay was practically kind -- more self-denying than her guests realised , for out of consideration for them , she had renounced attendance that evening at a committee meeting of which she was the ruling spirit , and those who knew her well would have seen that to sit for two or three hours ` with her hands before her , ' in her drawing-room , made her feel sadly like a fish out of water . But the four new-comers were too preoccupied to observe her restlessness ; the younger ones were tired too , and anxious for them to feel as cheerful as possible the next day , their uncle left early , advising Miss Mildmay to send them all off to bed . ` I am not leaving till twelve o'clock after all , ' he said , ` so , if you have no objection I 'll call in about half-past ten , and take these three young people a walk . I 'd like to see something of Thetford : its looks so pretty . ' It was something to look forward to -- another glimpse of the dear kind boyish face . And with the thought of the next morning 's walk together , in their mind , the girls went to bed , and got up in good time for their aunt 's early breakfast , trying to look and feel as cheerful as they could .