six o’clock precisely
Upon this , the merry laughter of Miss Lobbs rang through the calm evening air -- without seeming to disturb it , though ; it had such a pleasant sound -- and the wicked little cousin laughed more immoderately than before , and Nathaniel Pipkin blushed deeper than ever . At length , Maria Lobbs being more strenuously urged by the love-worn little man , turned away her head , and whispered her cousin to say , or at all events Kate did say , that she felt much honoured by Mr. Pipkin 's addresses ; that her hand and heart were at her father 's disposal ; but that nobody could be insensible to Mr. Pipkin 's merits . As all this was said with much gravity , and as Nathaniel Pipkin walked home with Maria Lobbs , and struggled for a kiss at parting , he went to bed a happy man , and dreamed all night long , of softening old Lobbs , opening the strong box , and marrying Maria . The next day , Nathaniel Pipkin saw old Lobbs go out upon his old gray pony , and after a great many signs at the window from the wicked little cousin , the object and meaning of which he could by no means understand , the bony apprentice with the thin legs came over to say that his master was n't coming home all night , and that the ladies expected Mr. Pipkin to tea , at six o'clock precisely . How the lessons were got through that day , neither Nathaniel Pipkin nor his pupils knew any more than you do ; but they were got through somehow , and , after the boys had gone , Nathaniel Pipkin took till full six o'clock to dress himself to his satisfaction . Not that it took long to select the garments he should wear , inasmuch as he had no choice about the matter ; but the putting of them on to the best advantage , and the touching of them up previously , was a task of no inconsiderable difficulty or importance . ` There was a very snug little party , consisting of Maria Lobbs and her cousin Kate , and three or four romping , good-humoured , rosy-cheeked girls .