half past eleven
He was , indeed . To be sure , he insisted on remaining in the kitchen , for his curiosity wanted to see all that went on . But as he sat quietly in a corner , busily engaged in untying the knots in a piece of herring net he had brought home from his last trip to the shore , nobody objected to this . At half past eleven the lettuce salad was made , the golden circles of the pies were heaped with whipped cream , and everything was sizzling and bubbling that ought to sizzle and bubble . `` We 'd better go and dress now , '' said Anne , `` for they may be here by twelve . We must have dinner at sharp one , for the soup must be served as soon as it 's done . '' Serious indeed were the toilet rites presently performed in the east gable .