the hour of two
as it came up to her from the parlor below , where the young men were doing their best to show their patriotism . Towards evening , alarmed by a whizzing sound , which seemed to be often repeated , and wishing to know the cause , she stole halfway down the stairs , when the mischievous Maggie greeted her with a `` serpent , '' which , hissing beneath her feet , sent her quickly back to her room , from which she did not venture again . Mrs. Jeffrey was very good-natured , and reflecting that `` young folks must have fun , '' she became at last comparatively calm , and at an early hour sought her pillow . But thoughts of `` stars and stripes '' waving directly over her head , as she knew they were , made her nervous , and the long clock struck the hour of two , and she was yet restless and wakeful , notwithstanding the near approach of dawn . `` Maybe the ` Saints ' Rest ' will quiet me a trifle , '' she thought ; and , striking a light , she attempted to read ; but in vain , for every word was a star , every line a stripe , and every leaf a flag . Shutting the book and hurriedly pacing the floor , she exclaimed : `` It 's of no use trying to sleep , or meditate either . Baxter himself could n't do it with that thing over his head , and I mean to take it down .