eight o'clock
He was not always as careful as he should be in the matter of detail , and in several instances his attempts at faking did not pan out as he originally planned them . `` Experience is a great book , the events of life its chapters . '' -- SAINTE-BEUVE . By eight o'clock the house was well filled . The signboard bearing the legend , `` Standing Room Only '' was put out in front to catch a few more . It was such an audience as would make any manager 's heart rejoice . The curtain rose promptly on the first act .