seven
o'clock
An unmanageable silence hung between them for a few seconds ; then Julia , with a murmured excuse , went to the extrication of Miss Pierce , now hopelessly involved in a surge of swarming children , and Jim went on his way . He carried with him a warm memory of the erect young figure in white , and the thick twisted braid , set against a background of Christmas green . For Julia the rest of the afternoon was enchanted ; an enchantment subtly flavoured with the odour of evergreen , and pierced by rapturous voices , and by the glowing colours of the Christmas tree , and the slapping rain at the window . She and Miss Toland sat down , exhausted and well satisfied , at seven o'clock , to a scrappy little supper in the littered dining-room : one director had left chocolates , another violets ; a child 's soiled hair ribbon , still tied , lay on the floor ; the chairs were pushed about at all angles . `` Give me some more coffee , dear , and open that box of candy , '' said Miss Toland luxuriously . `` We 'll sleep late , and go to high mass at the Cathedral . Alice always has room in her pew .