nearly eight o’clock before
An investigating committee met that evening at Mrs. Snigham 's -- sitting in secret session over her best china . Though invited only to a quiet `` tea , '' the amount of judicial business they transacted on the occasion was prodigious . The biscuits were actually cold before the committee had a chance to eat anything . There was so much to talk over , and it was so important that it should be firmly established that each member had always been `` certain sure that something extraordinary would be happening to that man yet , '' that it was nearly eight o'clock before Mrs. Snigham gave anybody a second cup . Broad Sunshine One snowy day in January Laurens Boekman went with his father to pay his respects to the Brinker family . Raff was resting after the labors of the day ; Gretel , having filled and lighted his pipe , was brushing every speck of ash from the hearth ; the dame was spinning ; and Hans , perched upon a stool by the window , was diligently studying his lessons . It was a peaceful , happy household whose main excitement during the past week had been the looking forward to this possible visit from Thomas Higgs .