nearly eleven o'clock
` You 'll have a stiff walk before you fetch Overcombe Mill this dark night , Loveday , ' concluded the captain , peering out of the window . ` I 'll send you in a glass of grog to help ` ee on your way . ' The captain then left Bob to himself , and when he had drunk the grog that was brought in he started homeward , with a heart not exactly light , but large with a patriotic cheerfulness , which had not diminished when , after walking so fast in his excitement as to be beaded with perspiration , he entered his father 's door . They were all sitting up for him , and at his approach anxiously raised their sleepy eyes , for it was nearly eleven o'clock . ` There ; I knew he 'd not be much longer ! ' cried Anne , jumping up and laughing , in her relief . ` They have been thinking you were very strange and silent to-day , Bob ; you were not , were you ? '