midnight
That the girls were faithful , of course , he did not doubt ; the regularity with which letters addressed to him at home -- and they were numerous -- reached him convinced him of that ; but the hamper containing the week 's wash , which Ellen and Jane were to send , and which had been expected on Thursday of the preceding week , had failed for once to arrive ; the boy had worn one dress four days , Thaddeus 's collars were getting low , and altogether he was just a little uneasy about things . So he availed himself of his opportunity and went home , taking with him a friend , in consideration of whom he telegraphed ahead to Ellen to prepare a good breakfast , not caring for dinner , since he and his companion expected to dine at the club and go to the theatre before going out to his home . The result would have been fatal to Bessie 's peace of mind had she heard of it during her absence from home . But Thaddeus never told her , until it was a matter of ancient history , that when he arrived at home , a little after midnight , he found the place deserted , and was compelled to usher his friend in through the parlor window ; that from top to bottom the mansion gave evidence of not having seen a broom or a dust-brush since the departure of the family ; that Jane had not been seen in the neighborhood for one full week -- this came from those living on adjoining property ; that Ellen had been absent since early that morning , and was not expected to return for three days ; and , crowning act of infamy , that he , Thaddeus , and his friend were compelled to breakfast next morning upon a half of a custard pie , a bit mouldy , found by the lord of the manor on the fast-melting remains of a cake of ice in the refrigerator . Whether it would have happened if Thaddeus had not been accompanied by a friend , whose laughter incited him to great deeds , or not I am not prepared to say , but something important did happen . Thaddeus rose to the occasion , and committed an act , and committed it thoroughly . The Thaddeus of old , the meek , long-suffering , too amiable Thaddeus , disappeared .