nearly twelve o'clock
The drive was paradisical . They talked , they smiled , they said the loveliest little things to each other with delicious reciprocity . He drove , and divided his manly attentions between her and the horses , giving her a generous share , which was creditable to him as a man . It was nearly twelve o'clock that night when those two people went up to their neglected couches -- nothing but a widow would have stood the shock of such impropriety among the critical of her sex ; but she did n't care a mite . Early the next morning , which was Sunday , these two persons were seen coming out of the little cubby-houses under the beach in the queerest sort of dresses -- I can not describe them , because , up to this time , beach flirtations have been forbidden subjects with me . But they came out on the beach , clasped hands , and walked right into the biggest waves they could find . What she said to him there I can not tell , but by and by they came back to the hotel , the sneakiest-looking creatures you ever set your two eyes on .