eight o'clock
`` Is the social to be a dressy affair ? '' Patricia asked , adding : `` I hope it is , because _ I _ shall be dressy , whether any one else is or not . '' They had reached the class-room door so that there was no time for either Dorothy or Nancy to reply to the silly remark if they had cared to do so . * * * * * At eight o'clock nearly all the pupils had assembled in the big reception-room , and the hum of voices told that each was doing her best to outdo her neighbor . Near the center of the room a group of girls stood talking . It was evident that the theme of their conversation was not engrossing , for twice their leader , Betty Chase , had replied at random while her eyes roved toward the door , and Valerie Dare remarked that her chum had been reading such a romantic story , that she was eagerly looking for a knight in full armor to appear . `` Be still ! ''