eight o’clock
Nature , beautiful as ever , looked as if laughing defiance at the fearful storm which so lately had swept over the earth . Beautifully over hill and valley fell the sun 's red rays , but when they penetrated the dwelling of Mr. Middleton , they shone on the anxious , careworn faces of those who had been sleepless during the dark hours of that dreadful night . Even the merry-hearted Florence seemed sad and spiritless as she hurried from room to room , urging Ashton to accelerate their departure . By eight o'clock the last guest was gone . Around the old stone house a gloomy silence settled , broken only by the heavy tramp of Uncle Joshua , whose cowhides came down with a vengeance , as up and down the yard he strode , talking to Dr. Lacey , who walked by his side . `` Now , '' said he , `` if this is n't a little the all-firedest muss a feller ever got into , Josh ai n't no judge . Of course the papers have nothing to do but flout it all over the country .