eight o'clock
Judge Middleton was chosen to make the speech naming the guest of honor for whom the debut party was given . `` He 's got the gift of gab , '' Pete Barnes had said , `` but I hope he ai n't gonter forget 't was my idee . '' One of the many virtues that belong to country people is that they come on time . At eight o'clock the fiddles were tuning up , the skating rink lights were on and already Main Street was crowded with a varied assortment of vehicles -- automobiles , buggies , wagons , surreys , rockaways and even a large hay wagon that had brought a merry party of young folks from Clayton . Buck Hill arrived , three automobiles strong , besides Miss Ann Peyton 's coach . Behind them came Judith Buck and her mother , the little blue car brave from a recent bath and Judith 's eyes shining and dancing like will-o-the-wisps . `` Mumsy , listen !