ten o'clock
Everywhere a little crowd gathered round us , and then we dashed away far enough to gather quite another crowd ; and then back , perhaps , not sorry to double on our steps if need were , and leaving every crowd with a happy thought of `` The star , the manger , and the Child ! '' At nine we brought up at my house , D Street , three doors from the corner , and the children picked their very best for Polly and my six little girls to hear , and then for the first time we let them jump out and run in . Polly had some hot oysters for them , so that the frolic was crowned with a treat . There was a Christmas cake cut into sixteen pieces , which they took home to dream upon ; and then hoods and muffs on again , and by ten o'clock , or a little after , we had all the girls and all the little ones at their homes . Four of the big boys , our two flankers and Harry 's right and left hand men , begged that they might stay till the last moment . They could walk back from the stable , and `` rather walk than not , indeed . '' To which we assented , having gained parental permission , as we left younger sisters in their respective homes .