half past eleven
Others mutely made way for them . So an hour slipped by , and as yet their search was fruitless . The master had yawned once or twice and whistled , -- two fatal signs of failing interest , -- and finally came to a full stop . `` It 's half past eleven , Melissa , '' said he , consulting his watch by a broad pencil of light from an open shutter , -- `` half past eleven ; and it strikes me that our old friends , the woodpeckers , must have gone to bed some hours ago , unless they are waiting up for us . I 'm much obliged to you for the evening 's entertainment , but I 'm afraid that even the pretext of looking for a parent wo n't excuse further dissipation . We 'd better put this off till to-morrow . What do you say , Melissa ?