ten in the morning
`` Why , Mr. Dunham , I was never so surprised in my life ! '' she exclaimed . He smiled . `` I was told that you would look more kindly upon a surprise party at ten in the morning than at ten at night , '' he answered . His eyes were level with Miss Martha 's as she stood two steps above him on the piazza , and he pressed her hard , little , unresponsive hand . But if her hand was hard her heart was not , and it was with much appreciation of the visitor 's attractive personality that she urged him to take his choice of the piazza chairs . `` This is a great place , '' he remarked , as she fluttered back to her table , and he dropped on the piazza rail .