midnight
I think the children had got inkling of what was coming , or perhaps Harry had hinted it to their mothers . Certainly they were warmly dressed , and when , fifteen minutes afterwards , Howland came round himself with the sleigh , he had put in as many rugs and bear-skins as if he thought the children were to be taken new-born from their respective cradles . Great was the rejoicing as the bells of the horses rang beneath the chapel windows , and Harry did not get his last _ da capo _ for his last carol . Not much matter indeed , for they were perfect enough in it before midnight . Lycidas and I tumbled in on the back seat , each with a child in his lap to keep us warm ; I flanked by Sam Perry , and he by John Rich , both of the mercurial age , and therefore good to do errands . Harry was in front somewhere flanked in like wise , and the other children lay in miscellaneously between , like sardines when you have first opened the box I had invited Lycidas , because , besides being my best friend , he is the best fellow in the world , and so deserves the best Christmas eve can give him . Under the full moon , on the still white snow , with sixteen children at the happiest , and with the blessed memories of the best the world has ever had , there can be nothing better than two or three such hours .