nine o'clock
All the girls from the Academy were going in white , except Helen , who was to wear pink silk . It was to be a military ball , and strangers were expected . Ben Somers , and our Rosville beaux , were of course to be there , all in uniform , except Ben , who preferred the dress of a gentleman , he said , -- silk stockings , pumps , and a white cravat . We were dressed by nine o'clock , Alice in black velvet , with a wreath of flowers in her black hair -- I in a light blue velvet bodice , and white silk skirt . We were waiting for the ball hack to come for us , as that was the custom , for no one owned a close coach in Rosville , when Charles brought in some splendid scarlet flowers which he gave to Alice . `` Where are Cassandra 's ? '' `` She does not care for flowers ; besides , she would throw them away on her first partner . ''