eight o'clock
`` I 'll show you the samples , but we will wait for the mothers ' opinion to-night . But this great secret I will give to you now ! '' and , forthwith , Mrs. Talmage told the Blue Birds all about Mr. White 's interest and ideas , and showed them the precious volume loaned them . Before eight o'clock that night the Blue Birds and their mothers were assembled in the living-room ready for a council . The children had not seen the den for a few days and stared in delight as they filed into the room . Mrs. Talmage had purposely had all meet together before mentioning that they might as well spend the evening in the Winter Nest . `` Why , Mother Wings , when _ did _ you fix this up ? ''