seven o'clock
`` That means me , of course , '' said Thomas importantly . `` Of course , '' echoed both his brothers , quite unanimously . Mr. Stevens said nothing , but calmly went up to bed , where he apparently slept well , as he did not reappear until after nine o'clock the following morning . He sought out Mrs. Gray in the sunny , shining kitchen , but did not evince as much surprise as she had expected when she told him , while she bustled about preparing fresh coffee and toast for him , that when Thomas , at seven o'clock , had gone to the barn to `` hitch up '' he had found that the double sleigh , the pair , and -- Austin had all mysteriously vanished . `` Austin always was a dreadful tease , '' she ended , `` but I ca n't help sayin ' this is downright mean of him , when he knows how Thomas feels . '' `` My dear lady , '' said Mr. Stevens , cracking open the egg she had set before him with great care , `` where are your eyes ? What about Austin himself ? ''