midnight
`` We should have lost our excursion for maple syrup , '' said Mr. Peterkin . Later , as they reached home in the carry-all -LRB- Hiram having gone back with the wood-sled -RRB- , Mr. and Mrs. Peterkin , after leaving little boys at their homes all along the route , found none of their own to get out at their own door . They must have joined Elizabeth Eliza , Agamemnon , and Solomon John in taking a circuitous route home with the rest of the Circumambients . `` The little boys will not be at home till midnight , '' said Mrs. Peterkin , anxiously . `` I do think this is carrying the thing too far , after such a day ! '' `` Elizabeth Eliza will feel that she has acted up to the principles of the society , '' said Mr. Peterkin , `` and we have done our best ; for , as the little boys said , ` we did see the kettle . ' '' Might not something be done by way of farewell before leaving for Egypt ?