They 're old Bank of P. E. Island notes . Had them by me when the bank failed , and I had 'em framed and hung up , partly as a reminder not to put your trust in banks , and partly to give me a real luxurious , millionairy feeling . Hullo , Matey , do n't be scared . You can come back now . The music and revelry is over for tonight . The old year has just another hour to stay with us . I 've seen seventy-six New Years come in over that gulf yonder , Mistress Blythe . '' `` You 'll see a hundred , '' said Marshall Elliott . Captain Jim shook his head . `` No ; and I do n't want to -- at least , I think I do n't . Death grows friendlier as we grow older . Not that one of us really wants to die though , Marshall . Tennyson spoke truth when he said that . There 's old Mrs. Wallace up at the Glen . She 's had heaps of trouble all her life , poor soul , and she 's lost almost everyone she cared about . She 's always saying that she 'll be glad when her time comes , and she does n't want to sojourn any longer in this vale of tears . But when she takes a sick spell there 's a fuss ! Doctors from town , and a trained nurse , and enough medicine to kill a dog . Life may be a vale of tears , all right , but there are some folks who enjoy weeping , I reckon . '' They spent the old year 's last hour quietly around the fire .
A few minutes before twelve Captain XXXXX rose and opened the door .
Blythe Hullo Island Jim Marshall Matey Tennyson Years fire hour