nine o'clock
It had in it a familiar strain which carried little Mrs. Moira back to Beryl 's baby days . Then the lullaby swung into the deeper tones of a Christmas anthem and again into a tempestuous outburst of melody , as though Beryl had let loose all at once the riotous feelings that surged within her . Just as the last note died away a bell pealed through the house . Because it was still Christmas , really being only nine o'clock , everyone looked for a surprise . And a surprise it was , indeed , when Harkness placed an impressive envelope in Robin 's hands and said that a stranger had brought it to the door . `` He looked like one of these motorcycle men , but before I could as much as say ` Good evening ' he was off in the dark . '' Robin studied the address , which was printed .