midnight
Bobby thought that this was not a bad idea , and as they rolled along these two little waifs gravely discussed their future prospects . It was the same with many others of the band , though not a few were content to gaze out of the carriage windows , pass a running commentary on the new country , and leave their future entirely to their Guardian . Soon , however , the busy little tongues and brains ceased to work , and ere long were steeped in slumber . At midnight the train stopped , and great was the sighing and groaning , and earnest were the requests to be let alone , for a batch of the boys had to be dropped at a town by the way . At last they were aroused , and with their bags on their shoulders prepared to set off under a guide to their various homes . Soon the sleepiness wore off , and , when the train was about to start , the reality of the parting seemed to strike home , and the final handshakings and good wishes were earnest and hearty . Thus , little by little , the band grew less and less .