eleven o'clock
But if I am to make good my promise to Elfreda to feed her on waffles , I must tell Margaret to make them . '' Left to themselves , the two girls conversed softly together regarding the change the advent of old Jean had wrought in their hostess . When an hour later the trio gathered in the morning room , unanimously chosen as a supper room by reason of its cosiness , the sense of oppression which had formerly held them captive had been marvelously lightened by hope . Later the three spent a quiet evening together in the library , and it was eleven o'clock when Grace and Elfreda turned their steps homeward . To her father and mother , who had reached home ahead of her , Grace recounted the details of Jean 's visit . They received the glad tidings with a joy second only to her own . Another hour slipped swiftly by before the household retired , and it was half-past twelve o'clock before Grace bade Elfreda good-night and softly closed the door of her room .