eleven
o’clock
The cards of invitation are coming home from the printer 's tomorrow morning . I shall reserve a packet , of course , for you and your friends , when we see you to-morrow night . '' Just as Mr. Blyth spoke those words , the clock on the mantel-piece struck the half hour after ten . Having his own private reasons for continuing to preserve the appearance of perfect obedience to his father 's domestic regulations , Zack rose at once to say good night , in order to insure being home before the house-door was bolted at eleven o'clock . This time he did not forget Madonna 's drawing ; but , on the contrary , showed such unusual carefulness in tying his pocket-handkerchief over the frame to preserve it from injury as he carried it through the streets , that she could not help -- in the fearless innocence of her heart -- unreservedly betraying to him , both by look and manner , how warmly she appreciated his anxiety for the safe preservation of her gift . Never had the bright , kind young face been lovelier in its artless happiness than it appeared at the moment when she was shaking hands with Zack . Just as Valentine was about to follow his guest out of the room , Mrs. Blyth called him back , reminding him that he had a cold , and begging him not to expose himself to the wintry night air by going down to the door .