ten o'clock
All the heavy packages , and all the clothes had , of course , been put on board the Goldfinder in the London docks . The pleasant task of preparation was at an end , and they were now to go forth upon their hard labours . Caldigate had become so intimate with the family , that it seemed as though a new life had sprung up for him , and that as he had parted from all that he then had of a family at Folking , he was now to break away from new ties under the doctor 's roof . They had dined early , and at ten o'clock there was what Mrs. Shand called a little bit of supper . They were all of them high in heart , and very happy , -- testifying their affection to the departing ones by helping them to the nicest bits , and by filling their tumblers the fullest . How it happened , no one could have said , but it did happen that , before the evening was over , Maria and Caldigate were together in a little room behind the front parlour . What still remained of their luggage was collected there , and this last visit had probably been made in order that the packages might be once more counted .