ten o'clock
It was still the height of the Boston season , which is short , but merry while it lasts . John had a dinner-party , a musical evening , and a ball on his list for the evening , and he resolved that he would go to all three , and show himself bravely to the world . He was full of new courage and strength since he had received Z 's message , and he was determined that no one should know what he had suffered . The dinner passed pleasantly enough , and by ten o'clock he was at the musical party . There he found the Wyndhams and many other friends , but he looked in vain for Joe ; she was not there . Before midnight he was at the dance , pushing his way through crowds of acquaintances , stumbling over loving couples ensconced on the landings of the stairs , and running against forlorn old ladies , whose mouths were full of ice-cream and their hearts of bitterness against the younger generation ; and so , at last , he reached the ball-room , where everything that was youngest and most fresh was assembled , swaying and gliding , and backing and turning in the easy , graceful half-walk , half-slide of the Boston step . As John stood looking on , Joe passed him , leaving the room on Mr. Topeka 's arm .