eight o'clock
The summer shone in full prime ; and she took such a taste for this solitary rambling that she often contrived to remain out from breakfast till tea ; and then the evenings were spent in recounting her fanciful tales . I did not fear her breaking bounds ; because the gates were generally locked , and I thought she would scarcely venture forth alone , if they had stood wide open . Unluckily , my confidence proved misplaced . Catherine came to me , one morning , at eight o'clock , and said she was that day an Arabian merchant , going to cross the Desert with his caravan ; and I must give her plenty of provision for herself and beasts : a horse , and three camels , personated by a large hound and a couple of pointers . I got together good store of dainties , and slung them in a basket on one side of the saddle ; and she sprang up as gay as a fairy , sheltered by her wide-brimmed hat and gauze veil from the July sun , and trotted off with a merry laugh , mocking my cautious counsel to avoid galloping , and come back early . The naughty thing never made her appearance at tea . One traveller , the hound , being an old dog and fond of its ease , returned ; but neither Cathy , nor the pony , nor the two pointers were visible in any direction : I despatched emissaries down this path , and that path , and at last went wandering in search of her myself .