seven o'clock
This is to say that they were well-nigh omnipotent over earthly ills , -- so far , at the least , that sleep came when sleep was needed . But not after seven o'clock ! Venty and Diana had been retained by Flossy and Laura to call them at five minutes of seven , and Laura and Flossy had called the others . And at seven o'clock , precisely , a bugle-horn sounded in the children 's quarters , and then four grotesque riders , each with a soldier hat made of newspaper , each with a bright sash girt round a dressing - gown , each with bare feet stuck into stout shoes , came storming down the stairs , and as soon as the lower floor was reached , each mounted on a hobby-horse or stick , and with riot not to be told came knocking at Matty 's door , at Beverly 's , and at Tom 's . And these all appeared , also with paper soldier hats upon their heads , and girt in some very spontaneous costume , and so the whole troop proceeded with loud fanfaron and drumbeat to mamma 's door and knocked for admission , and heard her cheery `` Come in . '' And papa and mamma had heard the bugle-calls , and had wrapped some sort of shawls around their shoulders , and were sitting up in bed , they also with paper soldier hats upon them ; and one scream of `` Merry Christmas '' resounded as the doors flew open , -- and then a wild rampage of kissing and of hugging as the little ones rushed for the best places they could find on the bed -- not to say in it . This was the Christmas custom .