the hour of ten
`` Mis ' Hungerford-Dayton is to have the sleeves for carpet-rags ; you can cut it up when she comes . It 's all I 've got to give ; but the Lord will make it blest . '' We took this as a crowning joke ; and still to me it seemed to embrace a solid something , and set me dreaming . When the hour of ten arrived the last of our guests were leaving ; and , as I stood at the door with Louis saying `` Good-night , '' the echo of the words went ringing over the hills ; and when it fluttered back , seemed to my heart to say , `` It will be morning soon . '' As we went into the sitting-room , Clara said : `` Now that the guests have all examined my gifts , it will do for my dear ones to look also , '' and she led the way into our old middle-room , and pointing to the antique service , said : `` These are yours ; I have them for my boy . There are false bottoms to the three largest pieces , and within them you will find the gift your father left you , Louis , to be given to you when you should become a man . I did not tell the others of this , '' she added .