ten
o'clock
From the open windows of the living-room came a conscientious rendering of a `` Czerny '' exercise , enlivened now and then by a bar or two of a rollicking dance , with which Blue Bonnet sugar-coated her pill . In the kitchen Debby and Amanda were deep in the mysteries of `` pinoche '' under the tutelage of Lisa and Gertrudis ; while Sarah , safe inside her own little sanctum , sat and drew threads rapturously , and later , coached by the delighted Benita , wove them into endless spider-webs . THEY sat up late that evening waiting for Alec to come with the mail . Mrs. Clyde and Blue Bonnet were somewhat uneasy , for they knew he had intended to be back in time for their late supper ; and when ten o'clock came and no Alec or Shady appeared , they grew openly anxious . Uncle Cliff refused to share their worry . `` Shady 's no tenderfoot , '' he scoffed , `` and holding up the mail has gone out of fashion in these parts . '' Blue Bonnet had no fear of hold-ups and did not care to express her suspicion that the ride had proved too much for Alec .