midnight
defied Grace . `` She is our Mary -- yes , cousin Mary , for is n't Cleo 's Aunt Audrey our Aunt Audrey -- by vacation scout laws ? '' Only the girls that they were could have absorbed so many surprises at a sitting , but such is the nature of nature 's best product , and that product is always lively , happy girls ! What happened between that time and next morning would take volumes to relate , but it might as well be admitted that Jennie had to fairly camp out in the hall that night to stop the talking , and it was away past midnight when she succeeded . Even then it would be false to claim that Mary actually slept . Early in the evening Mrs. Dunbar had very carefully unfolded the story to Professor Benson when he came down over the mountain in the car Mrs. Dunbar had ordered . So that he , too , was somewhat prepared for the astounding surprise .