TWELVE O'CLOCK
The boys pushed the furniture into the corners . Brian offered himself to Ida ; Bessie insisted upon surrendering the curate to Urania , and took one of her brothers for a partner ; and the three couples went gliding round the pretty old room , the cool night breezes blowing in upon them from wide-open windows . They danced and played , and sang and talked , till midnight chimed from the old eight-day clock in the hall , -- a sound which struck almost as much consternation to Bessie 's soul as if she had been Cinderella at the royal ball . ` TWELVE O'CLOCK ! and the little ones all up ! ' she exclaimed , looking round the circle of towzled heads with remorseful eyes . ` What would mother say ?