nine o'clock
More than one of the bright eyed and ruddy cheeked damsels gave out hints that led me to believe they would have accompanied me on my journey and shared the fortunes of my career . Nor did their hints disturb my mother , whose mind was too pure to conceive their attentions aught else than blessings . And thus , with an abundance of good cheer , and the interchange of those civilities so common to villagers , and the singing of an orthodox hymn or two , in which my father joined , while the doctor and the parson continued their discussion over the cider , passed one of those rustic evening parties so characteristic of Cape Cod . Half-past nine o'clock arrived , and it being an hour of bedtime religiously kept by the villagers , the bright eyed damsels and their chaperons , each in turn , shook me warmly by the hand , congratulated my mother on having a son so daring , lisped words of encouragement in my ear , and took an affectionate leave . Among them there was one Altona Marabel , the daughter of a worthy fisherman . This damsel had a face of exquisite beauty ; and her great lustrous eyes and blushing cheeks had caused me many a sigh . And now I saw that her heart beat in unison with mine , for the words good-by hung reluctant upon her lips .