about four o'clock
Long chains of white and colored pop-corn , fancy cut and fluted tissue-paper chains , paper flowers , rosy apples , numerous paper bundles that meant gifts for everyone , tinsel threads everywhere from tip to tip of the branches , and last of all large candles that would not blow out in a light breeze and would burn a long time . Huge pine torches were stuck in safe places all about the clearing , and the large lanterns that hung on poles were ready for the illumination . The timber men came in early that day , for they knew of Santa Claus ' visit early that night , and washed and dressed for the occasion . The sledge with the children returned about four o'clock laden with vines and berries for trimming the dining-room . The moment the children came toward the clearing , however , they gave shrieks of pleasure . Everyone ran out to see the cause of the joy and everyone was surprised -LRB- ? -RRB- to find the tree all ready for lighting .