nearly ten o'clock before
After tea he hastened over to Squire Lee 's ; and my young readers can imagine what a warm reception he had from father and daughter . For the third time that day he narrated his adventures in the east ; and Annie declared they were better than any novel she had ever read . Perhaps it was because Bobby was the hero . It was nearly ten o'clock before he finished his story ; and when he left , the squire made him promise to come over the next day . The few days which Bobby remained at home before entering upon the duties of his new situation were agreeably filled up in calling upon his many friends , and in visiting those pleasant spots in the woods and by the river , which years of association had rendered dear to him . His plans for the future , too , occupied some of his time , though , inasmuch as his path of duty was already marked out , these plans were but little more than a series of fond imaginings ; in short , little more than day dreams . I have before hinted that Bobby was addicted to castle building , and I should pity the man or boy who was not -- who had no bright dream of future achievements , of future usefulness .