noon Thursday
Then it made its way over the banks and encroached upon the campus . The seminary folk were pleased than otherwise at this , for on the river-soaked campus edge the willows and water birches thrived , and made a beautiful protection for the campus . The river was at a distance from the building ; yet at flood time on a quiet night as the girls lay in bed listening , they could hear the noise of its waters . Debby Alden and Miss Richards reached Lockport just at noon Thursday . Debby 's first thought was of Hester and her accommodations at school . She visited the seminary , attended to matters there , and returned to the city . The expenses connected with Hester 's education would not be light , and Debby knew that she would be compelled eventually to use the little money which her father had put by for a rainy day ; the interest of which had met her living expenses .