eleven o'clock
Happening to catch David 's grave eyes fixed searchingly upon her she flushed and said hastily , `` It must be almost time for the reception to begin . '' `` So it is , and if I 'm not mistaken here come the first guests , '' remarked Tom Gray . For the next hour Jessica and Reddy were kept busy receiving the congratulations of the steady in-pouring of friends who came to wish them godspeed . Then followed the wedding supper , and it was almost eleven o'clock when Jessica slipped away from her guests , and a little later , appeared at the head of the stairs in a smart tailored suit of brown , with hat , shoes and gloves to match . No secret had been made of their departure , for their friends were not of those who delighted in playing embarrassing and discomforting pranks . In fact , the majority of the reception guests had departed , and it was their intimate friends who were to see them off on their journey . Surrounded by her loved ones , Jessica made a second triumphal journey down the stairs .