nearly
midnight
she exclaimed in such a puzzled tone that both Mrs. Carleton and Sylvia laughed aloud . `` Tell her , Sylvia ! And I want to hear how you delivered the letter , '' said Mrs. Carleton . So Sylvia told the story of creeping out of the house at nearly midnight , of the man who had declared her to be a runaway darky , of Estralla following her , and of their return . `` And the door was closed and fastened , although I left it open , '' she concluded . Mrs. Fulton recalled that one night they had been slightly disturbed by some unusual noise and that Mr. Fulton had gone down-stairs and discovered the front door open . `` And we blamed Aunt Connie , '' she added .