seven o'clock before
Eating in the heart of the forest made things taste infinitely better than at home . Never before had there been such coffee , or steak , or baked potatoes ! There was dessert , too -- Mrs. Nesbit 's famous fruit cake and Mrs. Harlowe 's equally prized mince pie , besides fruit and nuts , Jean adding the latter to the feast . Then everyone 's health was drunk in grape juice , and it was almost seven o'clock before Jean and his guests rose from the table . `` Ten minutes to seven , '' declared David , consulting his watch . `` We must leave here at eight o'clock . We ought to be home by nine .