midnight
Priscilla declared that she was n't a bit sleepy , and the others all echoed the statement . Then Aunt Abigail was appealed to , for just one more , and complied without any pretence of reluctance . Aunt Abigail was enjoying herself hugely , and it was characteristic of her amiable irresponsibility that it never occurred to her that there might be undesirable consequences , from thus stimulating the vivid imaginations of a party of sensitive girls . It was very near midnight when at last they filed up-stairs to bed . The fire was out , after having played its part so efficiently as to render it necessary to open to its widest extent every door and window in the cottage . It was a rather silent crowd that climbed the stairs . The girls went to their respective rooms without any of the laughter and gay chatter which usually characterized the hour of retiring .