five o'clock
`` Bring three plates of ice cream , and four half-portions , '' he directed the waiter . And when it was brought , he calmly gave the four small pieces to his parents and the Bryants . Cousin Jack 's face fell , for he was warm and tired , and he wanted more than a spoonful of the refreshing delicacy . But a surreptitious glance at his watch showed him it was almost five o'clock ; so he accepted his plate without a murmur . `` It 's very nice , Mother , '' he said demurely , eating it by tiny bits , scraped from the edges as he had sometimes seen Marjorie do , when her share had been limited to half a plate . `` I 'm glad you like it , son , '' she returned ; `` do n't eat too fast , -- hold your spoon properly , -- take small bites of cake . '' Ruth was convulsed by this new sort of fun , and asked Marjorie if they had ever played the game before .