about
eight o'clock
`` Well , I liked the idea of being sent for a chicken . It made me feel grown up . I did n't care to be out late , though , so I started quite early -- about sunset -- and walked along slowly , enjoying the evening , for it was summer-time , early in July -- the Fourth -- a date I am sure I shall never forget . `` It was a good ways from our place to Mr. Man 's house , and it was about eight o'clock when I got there . Mr. Man and his folks had not gone to bed yet , but were out in the yard doing something , or getting ready to do something , and I was very much interested to know what it was . I really forgot all about the chicken I had come for , and went up quite near and sat in some young gooseberry-bushes to watch things . `` Mr. Man and Mrs. Man and their little boy all seemed to be very busy .