eight o'clock
`` I like it very much , '' she said in such a hearty tone , that Tom could not doubt the genuineness of her pleasure . `` Glad of that . Hope you 'll be as well pleased with another engagement that 's coming out before long '' ; and with an odd laugh , Tom carried Sydney off to his den , leaving the girls to telegraph to one another the awful message , `` It is Maria Bailey . '' How she managed to get through that evening , Polly never knew , yet it was not a long one , for at eight o'clock she slipped out of the room , meaning to run home alone , and not compel any one to serve as escort . But she did not succeed , for as she stood warming her rubbers at the dining-room fire , wondering pensively as she did so if Maria Bailey had small feet , and if Tom ever put her rubbers on for her , the little overshoes were taken out of her hands , and Tom 's voice said , reproachfully , `` Did you really mean to run away , and not let me go home with you ? '' `` I 'm not afraid ; I did n't want to take you away , '' began Polly , secretly hoping that she did n't look too pleased . `` But I like to be taken away .