about seven
o'clock
At which little Cissy greatly rejoiced . '' _ Was n't _ I clever not to let zoo find out ? '' she said afterwards , with immense satisfaction . Late that evening -- late for the children that is to say -- about seven o'clock , for Cissy had got leave to sit up an hour longer , there came a ring at the hall bell , and a very funny-looking letter was handed in , which a boy in a muffled voice told the servant was for the ladies and gentlemen , and that she was to tell them the `` act '' would begin in five minutes `` in the theatre hall of the day nursery . '' The parlour maid , who -LRB- of course ! -RRB- had not the least idea in the world that the messenger was Master Ted , gravely handed the letter to Miss Mabel , who was the first person she saw , and Mabel hastened to explain to the others that its contents , quarters of old calling-cards with numbers marked on them , were evidently meant to be tickets for the performance . The big people were all much amused , but all of course were quite ready to `` assist '' at the `` act . ''