ten o’clock
Buoyant he was in spirit , quick Of fancy , light of heart ; And care , and time , and change have left Untouch 'd his better part . '' -- SOUTHEY . Etheldred May and Meta Rivers were together in the drawing-room . The timepiece pointed towards ten o'clock , but the tea-things were on the table , prepared for a meal , the lamp shone with a sort of consciousness , and Ethel moved restlessly about , sometimes settling her tea equipage , sometimes putting away a stray book , or resorting by turns to her book , or to work a red and gold scroll on coarse canvas , on the other end of which Meta was employed . `` Nervous , Ethel ? '' said Meta , looking up with a merry provoking smile , knowing how much the word would displease . `` That is for you , '' retorted Ethel , preferring to carry the war into the enemy 's quarters .