eight o'clock
Nancy was costumed as a `` drummer girl '' -- a brilliant uniform with knee skirt , long boots , a little , round , `` Tommy Atkins '' cap with chin-strap , and a little snare-drum at her hip that she really learned to beat . The big hall was cleared for dancing and decorated by the girls themselves with the loot of the autumn woods . No more brilliant affair , everybody declared , had been arranged since Pinewood Hall had become a preparatory school . Dr. Dudley 's boys marched over at eight o'clock , every one of them fancifully attired . Despite the fact that the tastes of the boys ran a good deal to costumes denoting the Soldier of '76 and Blackbeard , the Pirate , the novelty and variety shown by the girls made the scene a delightful one . Nancy Nelson and her mates of the sophomore class were not likely to be wall-flowers this year , or to lack for partners . The former 's striking costume marked her out , too , and after the grand march , she was sought out by Bob Endress .