ten minutes past seven
`` Do n't croak , '' reproved Emma . `` Who knows what this night may bring forth ? It may engender indigestion , or a stern injunction to make less noise on the part of Mrs. Elwood , but whatever the future has in store for us , we shall have had at least one luncheon worth remembering . '' It was ten minutes past seven when the club settled down to the frozen custard and delicious cakes that Grace and Anne had provided for them . Then Elfreda , who had taken upon herself the making and serving of the coffee , returned after a brief absence with a percolator of steaming coffee , Miriam following with the sugar and cream . `` Is n't it too bad we never thought of doing this before ? '' said Marian Cummings .