midnight
The rumbling of the warning gong surprised them . At dinner Burnham and Salsbury took seats opposite the ladies , and were honored with an introduction to papa and mamma , a very dignified , heavy , rosy , old-school couple , who ate a good deal and said very little . That evening , when flute and viol wooed the lotos-eaters to agitate the light fantastic toe , these young gentlemen found themselves in dancing humor , and revolved themselves into a grievous condition of glow and wilt in various mystic and intoxicating measures with their new-made friends . On retiring , somewhat after midnight , Miss Thurston paused while `` doing her hair , '' and addressed Miss Chapman . `` Did you observe , Hattie , how very handsome those gentlemen are ? Mr. Burnham looks like a prince of the _ sang azur _ , and Mr. Salsbury like his poet-laureate . '' `` Yes , dear , '' responded Hattie ; `` I have been considering those flowers of the field and lilies of the valley . ''