nine o'clock
Most of these day dreams , plots , and imaginings were duly reported by letter to Miss Felicia to see what she thought of them all . For the dear lady 's opposition had long since broken down . In these letters Ruth poured out her heart as she did to no one except Jack ; each missive interspersed with asides as to how dear Jack was , and how considerate , and how it would not be a very long time before she would soon get the other half of the dear lady 's laces , now that daddy and Jack -LRB- the boy had been given an interest in the business -RRB- were going to make lots of money on the new work -- to all of which Miss Felicia replied that love in a garret was what might be expected of fools , but that love in a log-cabin could only be practised by lunatics . It was toward the close of this pre-honey-moon -- it lasted only ten days , but it was full moon every hour and no clouds -- when , early one morning -- before nine o'clock , really -- a night message was handed to Jack . It had been sent to the brick office , but the telegraph boy , finding that building closed and abandoned , had delivered it to Mrs. Hicks , who , discovering it to be sealed , forwarded it at once , and by the same hand , to the MacFarlane house , known now to everybody as the temporary headquarters , especially in the day time , of the young superintendent who was going to marry the daughter -- `` and there ai n't a nicer , nor a better , nor a prettier . '' On this morning , then , the two had planned a day in the woods back of the hills ; Ruth 's mare was to be hooked up to a hired buggy , and such comforts as a bucket of ice , lettuce sandwiches thin as wafers , a cold chicken , a spirit lamp , teapot , and cups and saucers , not to mention a big shawl for my sweetheart to sit on , and another smaller one for her lovely shoulders when the cool of the evening came on , were to be stowed away under the seat . `` That telegram is from Aunt Felicia , I know , '' said Ruth .