eight o'clock
One other girl there was who knew not of her going , who shrank from thought of meeting her at any time , -- in any place , -- and yet was destined to an encounter fateful in its results in every way . Just as tattoo was sounding on the infantry bugle , Esther Dade sat reading fairy stories at the children 's bedside in the quarters of Sergeant Foster , of her father 's company . There had been Thanksgiving dinner with Mrs. Ray , an Amazonian feast since all their lords were still away on service , and Sandy Ray and Billy , Jr. , were perhaps too young to count . Dinner was all over by eight o'clock , and , despite some merry games , the youngsters ' eyes were showing symptoms of the sandman 's coming , when that privileged character , Hogan , Ray 's long-tried trooper now turned _ major domo _ , appeared at the doorway of the little army parlor . He had been bearer of a lot of goodies to the children among the quarters of the married soldiers , and now , would Mrs. Dade please speak with Mrs. Foster , who had come over with him , and Mrs. Dade departed for the kitchen forthwith . Presently she returned . `` I 'm going back awhile with Mrs. Foster , '' said she .