nine o'clock
She is anxiously pricing visites , and looking thoughtful as one on the eve of an important determination ; and the next Sunday the girls appear in full splendor , with new visites , to the increasing horror of Mrs. N . So goes the shuttlecock back and forward , kept up on both sides by most judicious hands . In like manner , at a modern party , a circle of matrons sit in edifying conclave , and lament the degeneracy of the age . `` These parties that begin at nine o'clock and end at two or three in the morning are shameful things , '' says fat Mrs. Q. , complacently fanning herself . -LRB- N. B. Mrs. Q. is plotting to have one the very next week , and has come just to see the fashions . -RRB- `` O , dreadful , dreadful ! '' exclaim , in one chorus , meek Mrs. M. , and tall Mrs. F. , and stiff Mrs. J. `` They are very unhealthy , '' says Mrs. F. `` They disturb all family order , '' says Mrs. J. `` They make one so sleepy the next day , '' says Mrs. M. `` They are very laborious to get up , and entirely useless , '' says Mrs. Q. ; at the same time counting across the room the people that she shall invite next week .