Twelve o'clock
Time flew on swiftest wings . They had a nice supper , -- sandwiches , tongue , ham , cakes , custards , floating-islands , apples , and nuts . After supper they had stories , serious and laughable , about ghosts and witches , till the clock in the dining-room held up both of its hands and pointed to the figure twelve , as if in amazement at their late staying . `` Twelve o'clock ! Why , how short the evening has been ! '' said they , when they found how late it was . They had forgotten all about Paul 's coat , for he had been the life of the party , suggesting something new when the games lagged .