Eleven o'clock
The letter was read and re-read until it was nearly worn out ; everybody admired its courtly and gracious tone , and smooth and practised style , everybody was sympathetic and excited , and the Coopers were steeped in happiness all the while . The boats were very uncertain in low water , in these primitive times . This time the Thursday boat had not arrived at ten at night -- so the people had waited at the landing all day for nothing ; they were driven to their homes by a heavy storm without having had a view of the illustrious foreigners . Eleven o'clock came ; and the Cooper house was the only one in the town that still had lights burning . The rain and thunder were booming yet , and the anxious family were still waiting , still hoping . At last there was a knock at the door and the family jumped to open it . Two negro men entered , each carrying a trunk , and proceeded up-stairs toward the guest-room .