six o'clock
When the children came home from school on Thursday afternoon , Aunt Izzie met them , and , to their great surprise , told them that Cecy was come to drink tea , and they must all go up stairs and be made nice . `` But Cecy comes most every day , '' remarked Dorry , who did n't see the connection between this fact and having his face washed . `` Yes -- but to-night you are to take tea in Katy 's room , '' said Aunt Izzie ; `` here are the invitations : one for each of you . '' Sure enough , there was a neat little note for each , requesting the pleasure of their company at `` Queen Katharine 's Palace , '' that afternoon , at six o'clock . This put quite a different aspect on the affair . The children scampered up stairs , and pretty soon , all nicely brushed and washed , they were knocking formally at the door of the `` Palace . '' How fine it sounded !