half past five
She had been preparing for this grand occasion ever since the receipt of Carol Bird 's invitation , which , by the way , had been speedily enshrined in an old photograph frame and hung under the looking-glass in the most prominent place in the kitchen , where it stared the occasional visitor directly in the eye , and made him livid with envy : -- BIRDS ' NEST , December 17 , 188 - . DEAR MRS. RUGGLES , -- I am going to have a dinner-party on Christmas Day , and would like to have all your children come . I want them every one , please , from Sarah Maud to Baby Larry . Mamma says dinner will be at half past five , and the Christmas tree at seven ; so you may expect them home at nine o'clock . Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year , I am Yours truly , CAROL BIRD . Breakfast was on the table promptly at seven o'clock , and there was very little of it , too ; for it was an excellent day for short rations , though Mrs. Ruggles heaved a sigh as she reflected that the boys , with their India-rubber stomachs , would be just as hungry the day after the dinner-party as if they had never had any at all . As soon as the scanty meal was over , she announced the plan of the campaign : `` Now , Susan , you an ' Kitty wash up the dishes ; an ' Peter , ca n't yer spread up the beds , so ' t I can git ter cuttin ' out Larry 's new suit ?