ten o'clock
`` May I beg of you , Alicia , '' he said , sternly , `` to cease raving over that man ? He 's doubtless old enough to be your father , and would be bored to death could he hear your nonsense about him ! '' Alicia looked put out , but a glance at her uncle 's face proved his seriousness , and she said no more about the actor . The evening wore away , but it seemed to the girls as if it never would be ten o'clock . And it was greatly to their relief , when , at about half-past nine , Mr. Forbes bade them good-night and went off upstairs . `` It is all the queerest performance , '' said Bernice . `` What in the world does Uncle Jeff want of us , -- I ca n't make out .