midnight
The guests had been invited and must be prepared for . The hair that had been washed was braided , the mother 's tears dried , and every member of the family pressed into the service . The entire house was cleaned and rearranged . Not till after midnight did the members of the little group seek their beds . Mr. Farnshaw had not returned . They had even forgotten him a large part of the time in the hurry . Elizabeth regarded the half dozen bruises which her sleeves would not cover with alarm when she was at last ready to climb her ladder .