eight o'clock
The pigeon had been plucked that night , not a doubt of it , but her father had had no hand in the plucking . She laid herself down upon her bed , exhausted , and again sleep came to her . And in a moment the sound of running water was in her ears . Sylvia did not wake again until the maid brought in her tea and told her that it was eight o'clock . When she went down-stairs , her father was already in the dining-room . She scanned him closely , but his face bore no sign whatever of a late and tempestuous night ; and a great relief enheartened her . He met her with an open smile .