About eleven o’clock
However , there is an end of it now . I knew that they would never give in and desert us , '' and the old man straightened his crooked back and slapped his chest , looking as proud and gallant as though he were five-and-twenty instead of seventy years of age . The rest of that day passed without any further news , and so did the following two days , but on the third , which was March 23 , the storm broke . About eleven o'clock in the forenoon Bessie was employed upon her household duties as usual , or rather she had just finished them . Her uncle had returned from his usual after-breakfast round upon the farm , and was standing in the sitting-room , his broad felt hat in one hand and a red pocket-handkerchief in the other , with which he was polishing his bald head , while he chattered to Bessie through the open door . `` No news of the advance , Bessie dear ? '' `` No , uncle , '' she replied with a sigh , her blue eyes filling with tears , for she was thinking of one of whom there was also no news .