seven o'clock
But Aunt Maria neither lectured nor scolded . All through that next hour when pride kept Darsie chained to her place , the older lady talked in her most natural manner , and even smiled at her companion across the patience-board without a flicker of expression to betray that the figure confronting her was in any way different from the one which she was accustomed to see . Once more admiration vanquished irritation , and Darsie roused herself to join in the problem of `` building , '' and ended in actually feeling a dawning of interest in what had hitherto appeared the dreariest of problems . When seven o'clock struck , and the old lady closed the board , and said , in her natural , every-day voice , `` And now we must dress for dinner ! '' Darsie walked slowly across the room , hesitated , and finally retraced her steps and knelt down on a footstool by Lady Hayes ' side . `` Aunt Maria -- _ please _ ! I should like to thank you ! ''