nearly twelve o'clock
After supper they all came round the fire , and the dogs went off to sleep , perchance to dream ; but the children kept very wide awake indeed . And Tom told lots of droll , funny stories , and everybody sang songs . After this , all the talk was about home and the delightful time they were sure to have in one year 's time , when Christmas came round again once more . Then came sleep , and when Tom looked at his watch -- next morning let me call it -- it was very nearly twelve o'clock ! * * * * * Although it now wanted but a fortnight , according to Tom 's reckoning , of the first sunrise , it was still as dark as ever , and but for the moon and stars and glorious Aurora , life about this time would have been very tame and dreary indeed . Yet , owing to the clearness of the air and the purity of everything around them , the children never once lost heart . In fact they were as merry as sky-larks , and often made the island resound with song and mirth and laughter .