ten o'clock
But Fanny could not be coaxed into that . `` I have n't said yet as I 'm going to give ` ee anything , '' she said sharply ; but there was a twinkle in her eye , and matters were soon settled satisfactorily . There was to be a substantial `` plate tea '' in the kitchen at half-past five , which would allow plenty of time for the laying of the cloth and other preparations after Mrs. Pike and Anna had departed . Then they were to have games and forfeits , and tell ghost stories , and anything else that came into their minds to do , and a nice supper was to wind up the evening , and by ten o'clock all signs of their feast were to be tidied away , and the children were to go as quietly to bed as though Aunt Pike stood at their doors . Had Aunt Pike had even the faintest suspicion of what was to happen during her absence he would have given up her party then and there and have remained at home , even though Anna was to receive a prize and to recite . But , fortunately for her peace of mind , she suspected nothing , and they both went off quite cheerful and excited through the cold and mist of the December evening to the scene of the triumph of Anna 's genius -- Anna with her head enveloped in shawls , her feet in goloshes , her muslin skirts covered with a mackintosh and a fur-lined cloak . When it came to the moment of departure she felt so sorry for those left behind that she could not help expressing it .