twelve o'clock
Nevertheless , the light in her eyes as she raised them to the handsome man whose hand rested upon her shoulders held little of apprehension . Ten minutes later the merry group had set forth . Mrs. Harold , Mrs. Howland and Constance were only too glad to have their lively charges out of the way for an hour or two , for a good bit must be attended to before they could leave for Severndale that evening . Captain Stewart and the girls would not return until twelve o'clock and the boys -- who had been invited out for luncheon rather than to dine , former experiences having taught Mrs. Harold the folly of inviting dinner guests on a hop night -- would arrive immediately after formation . At twelve o'clock the girls returned from the Yard , and when one bell struck were watching in undisguised eagerness for their luncheon guests . From Mrs. Harold 's windows they could see the steady stream of men rushing from Bancroft toward the main gate , and in less time than seemed possible , footsteps were audible -- yes , a trifle more than audible -- as `` the bunch '' came piling up Wilmot 's stairway ; for the promptitude with which `` the Little Mother 's boys '' responded to `` a bid '' to Middies ' Haven was an unending source of wonder to most people and certainly to her school-girl guests . Eight midshipmen , came tramping up the stairs , eager to welcome old friends and ready to meet new ones upon the old ones ' recommendations .