eight o'clock
There were doll things for Marie Georgiannamore , and a ring for Mary Jane ; hair ribbons , handkerchiefs , skates for Alice -LRB- think of that in a stocking ! -RRB- and slippers for the little girl who forgot to put on her old pair and , oh , many lovely little things that could be tucked into a stocking . The girls spread the things out on mother 's bed and had a happy time till suddenly Mr. Merrill exclaimed , `` Girls ! It 's eight o'clock and I ordered that taxi for nine ! '' Then there _ was _ a scramble ! Gifts were hustled away , clothes were put on , breakfast was eaten and a few last things packed in the baskets , just as the taxi arrived . It was fortunate Mr. Merrill had ordered a big car for with three baskets , a bundle containing the doll bed and another the turkey , to say nothing of the tree roped on the side of the car and the box of trimmings on Mrs. Merrill 's lap even a big car was pretty full .