two
o'clock
-- how lovely , my precious ; talking coffee will be much pleasanter than talking me ! -- and yet we have got to do it somehow when he comes home . '' And down went her head again , she nestling the closer as if terrified at the thought of the impending meeting ; then another kiss followed -- dozens of them -- neither of them keeping count , and then -- and then -- ... . And then -- Ben tapped gently and announced that dinner was served , and Harry stared at the moon-faced dial and saw that it was long after two o'clock , and wondered what in the world had become of the four hours that had passed since he had rushed down from his uncle 's and into Kate 's arms . And so we will leave them -- playing housekeeping -- Harry pulling out her chair , she spreading her dainty skirts and saying `` Thank you , Mr. Rutter -- '' and Ben with his face in so broad a grin that it got set that way -- Aunt Dinah , the cook , having to ask him three times `` Was he gwineter hab a fit '' before he could answer by reason of the chuckle which was suffocating him . And now as we must close the door for a brief space on the happy couple -- never so happy in all their lives -- it will be just as well for us to find out what the mischief is going on at the club -- for there is something going on -- and that of unusual importance . Everybody is out on the front steps .