One after one
Voices had a part in it , but the movement of chairs and feet and the sudden contact of different portions of the body with walls and tables , had a larger . The guests were obeying the voice of their hostess all in one like a flock of sheep , but it was poor shepherd-work to turn them out of the fold at midnight . Gibbie bounded up and stood still as a statue at the very door-cheek , until he heard Mistress Croale 's hand upon the lock , when he bolted , trembling with eagerness , into the entry of a court a few houses nearer to the Widdiehill . One after one the pitiable company issued from its paradise , and each stumbled away , too far gone for leave-taking . Most of them passed Gibbie where he stood , but he took no heed ; his father was always the last -- and the least capable . But , often as he left her door , never did it close behind him until with her own eyes Mistress Croale had seen Gibbie dart like an imp out of the court -- to take him in charge , and , all the weary way home , hover , not very like a guardian angel , but not the less one in truth , around the unstable equilibrium of his father 's tall and swaying form . And thereupon commenced a series of marvellous gymnastics on the part of wee Gibbie .