nine o’clock
in a tone as if the hermit were really finding youth and life again . Once more at his request , she sang , and was applauded with even more fervour , with a certain tremulous eagerness in the voice . Yet there was probably a dread of the excitement being too much , for this was followed by `` Thank you , kind songstress , I could listen for ever , but it is becoming late , and I must not detain you longer . '' She found herself handed out of the room , with somewhat curtailed good nights , although nine o'clock , her usual signal , had not yet struck . When she came into the lamplit hall , Jumbo was grinning and nodding like a maniac , and when she asked what was the matter , he only rolled his eyes , and said , `` Missie good ! Mas ' r like music ! '' The repressed excitability she had detected made her vaguely nervous -LRB- not that she would have so called herself -RRB- , and as the next day was the blank Sunday , she appeased and worked off her restlessness by walking with the children to Sedhurst church .