eleven o'clock
But then he had a great many honest friends , and that made up for it considerably . There stood Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Johnson , who had carpeted their stone steps , set up a tent over their hospitable door , and turned their parlors into a blooming garden , just to show the respect they had for him ; and they did it beautifully , making his friends theirs . At any rate , I can answer for one ; for any person who does honor to a Vermont man who has glorified his State , can count on the faithful friendship of Phœmie Frost during his natural life . At eleven o'clock , exactly , we all crowded around Mr. Greeley , and shook hands with him over again . Then we shook hands with Mrs. Johnson , who looked sweet , and was nice as nice could be ; and with Mr. Johnson , and so on . After that , we all flocked out , with cloaks and hoods on , feeling that an evening like that was a refreshing season which will not be forgotten by some of us , so long as we live . One thing I forgot to mention -- and I do it now , with tears in my eyes .