nearly twelve
o'clock
But she did not come . Strictly obedient to her parents , she had gone another way so as to avoid the meeting . During that day , Andrew was absent from school . Having twice missed his gentle friend , he had no heart to enter upon his studies , and so went listlessly wandering about the streets until nearly twelve o'clock . Then he repaired to the neighborhood of her school , and waited to see if she was among the scholars at the time of their dismissal . In a little while the children came pouring forth , and among them his eager eyes soon caught the form of Emily . He was by her side in a moment , saying , as he took her hand -- `` Where have you been ?