midnight
Mrs. Nat told funny stories , and the boys gave impromptu imitations of classmates and professors ; Margaret Howes sparkled with quaint tales of the remote mountain village where she had been spending the summer . Elinor 's gentle wit flashed ; and Bruce 's ready laughter followed every one of his own clever jokes , while Patricia and Marian made their mark as an appreciative audience , enjoying everything that was meant for humor and applauding even the feeblest joke . Altogether it was a great success as a celebration and a happy augury of the future into which it ushered the expectant Patricia . The guests were slow to leave and if it had not been necessary for Ted and Tom to make a certain train in order to get back to college at the required time , while Hiram was also due at a midnight conference of geologists at his hotel , they might have gone on with the merriment long after the last waiter had disappeared and the violets were fading . `` I simply hate to go , '' confessed Margaret Howes as she stood waiting for her taxi after the rest had departed . `` I 've had a gorgeous time and I am sorry to leave you . Remember you are to meet me in the tea-room at Artemis Lodge at four-fifteen tomorrow to look over the ground before Miss Pat plunges in .