nine o'clock
But , enough of toasts and fine speeches . As the General very judiciously observed when Miss Rosa , who seemed to think he could not have too many delicacies , nor too much of them , offered to add to his already overfilled plate , `` dere is ` bundance of cranberry saace for dis turkey . '' According to custom , as soon as it began to be dark , the bonfires were lighted , and flashing from various eminences made luminous the night , while joyous shouts of boys answered each other across the rivers and ravines . At nine o'clock the bell rang out its usual warning , and before the clock struck the next hour , the inhabitants of Hillsdale had courted the repose of their pillows . He was a man Whom no one could have passed without remark , Active and nervous was his gait ; his limbs And his whole figure breathed intelligence . Time had compressed the freshness of his cheek Into a narrow circle of deep red , But had not tamed his eye ; that under brows , Shaggy and grey , had meanings which it brought From years of youth . WORDSWORTH 'S EXCURSION .