half
past seven
but it 's prime ! '' and Peter cut a pigeon-wing and gave a regular Mohawk war-whoop , as he danced around the kitchen and disappeared through the door just in time to avoid Dinah 's wet dishcloth , which she sent spinning at his close-cropped pate . Betty stood in her small chamber at six o'clock that evening , contemplating her gown with critical eye . Parties in those days were early affairs , and in New York were known to assemble as early as half past seven . The lanterns which hung outside every seventh house for the purpose of lighting the streets were lit by the watchmen at half past six , for the winter days were short , and the denizens of Wall Street were wont to pick their way most carefully since the great fire , the débris of which in many instances was still left to disfigure the sites where had stood stately mansions . Betty deliberated for some minutes ; here were two gowns : one must be worn to-night for her dear Clarissa ; the other kept for the De Lancey ball , an event over which all fashionable New York was agog , and which would take place on New Year 's night , just one week ahead . On the high , four-posted bed lay the gowns ; one , which had been her mother 's , was a white satin petticoat , over which was worn a slip of India muslin covered with fine embroidery , so daintily worked that it was almost like lace itself .