half past five
`` Very well ; you have an hour to spare . '' Bobby related to his kind friend the incidents of his excursion , including his interview with Colonel Whiting and his niece , which amused the bookseller very much . He volunteered some good advice , which Bobby received in the right spirit , and with a determination to profit by it . At half past five he took the cars for home , and before dark was folded in his mother 's arms . The little black house seemed doubly dear to him now that he bad been away from it a few days . His mother and all the children were so glad to see him that it seemed almost worth his while to go away for the pleasure of meeting them on his return . `` Now tell me , Bobby , how you have made out , '' said Mrs. Bright , as the little merchant seated himself at the supper table .