six
o'clock
To be sure it came over him once with startling force , as she showed him a toy water-wheel , that went by sand , -- which she had purchased for her father at a phenomenally low rate because the wheel could not be made to go , -- that Cora Cordelia was the very child that he had fallen over as she came hastening out of a toy-shop with a queerly shaped bundle , the day before , and so been further imbittered towards Christmas . Susan had purchased a cup and ball for her mother , and as she went out of the room for a moment , insisted upon Mr. Gilton 's trying to do it and see what fun it was . If Mr. Gilton lives to be a hundred he will never forget the mingled feelings with which he awkwardly tried to get that senseless ball into that idiotic cup . At last he stood up to go -- it was after six o'clock -- and they went with him to the door , and wished him Merry Christmas , and sent Merry Christmas to Mrs. Gilton , and said good-night several times , and he stumbled on through the snow , this time towards his own door . It had stopped snowing as suddenly and quietly as it had begun , and the stars had come out . He gazed up at them , -- something he very rarely did . They seemed a part of Christmas .