nine o'clock at night
she asked in her usual , rapid breathless way . `` Why , my Louis says they 're putting canvass cloths on the floor , and taking down the bed in the back-room ; and putting greenery and such like trash about . Some style about them , eh ? '' Mrs. Tuckley tossed her head and sniffed contemptuously , Mrs. Luke began to rehearse a time worn tale , how once a carriage had driven up to the Hart house at nine o'clock at night , and a distinguished looking man alighted , went in , stayed about ten minutes and finally drove off with a great clatter . Heads that had shaken ominously over this story before began to shake again , and tongues that had wagged themselves tired with conjectures started now with some brand new ideas and theories . The children of the square , tired of fishing for minnows in the ditches , and making mud-pies in the street , clustered about their mother 's skirts receiving occasional slaps , when their attempts at taking part in the conversation became too pronounced . Meanwhile , in the Hart household , all was bustle and preparation .