eight o'clock
Fred Whitney knew his mother better than did his friend and understood the expression on her face . So did Jennie , and the couple had such sport of their Boston visitor that the cloud quickly vanished and Monteith felt a trifle humiliated at his exhibition of what might be considered timidity . Nevertheless he quietly slipped his loaded revolver in the outer pocket of his heavy coat just before starting and when no one was watching him . Precisely at eight o'clock the three friends , warmly and conveniently clad , with their keen-edged skates securely fastened , glided gracefully up-stream , the mother standing on the porch of her home and watching the figures as they vanished in the moonlight . She was smiling , but in her heart was a misgiving such as she had not felt before , when her children were starting off for an evening 's enjoyment . The minute they were beyond sight she sighed , and , turning about , resumed her seat by the table in the centre of the sitting-room , where , as the lamplight fell upon her pale face , she strove to drive away the disquieting thoughts that would not leave her . It was a pleasing sight as the three young people , the picture of life , health and joyous spirits , side by side , laughing , jesting , and with never a thought of danger , moved out to the middle of the river and then sped toward its source , with the easy , beautiful movement which in the accomplished skater is the ideal of grace .