Nine o'clock
But May morning has come at last ; it is Aunt Mary 's birthday , and such a lovely day ! The cousins have a great deal of work to do before breakfast-time : may-blossoms to gather , garlands to twine , vases to fill with the sweet-scented early flowers , the breakfast-table to arrange with the best possible taste . As to Bridget , she had the day before been preparing for this special holiday ; and even now she is very busy with her hot cakes and buns , which bid fair to be of the very best quality . Nine o'clock was the appointed hour for breakfast , and as Aunt Mary was not permitted by the young decorators to see what had been done in the way of preparation , it had been agreed that prayers were to be read in her bedroom , where , at half-past eight , Clara and Mabel , and Bridget , made their appearance ; the former clasping Aunt Mary 's neck , kissing her , and offering their most sincere and loving good wishes , the latter looking on the while , with no less kindly feeling , and with the honest tears of a faithful and devoted heart in her eyes . Punctually at nine , a cab drove up to the garden-gate of Oak Villa , which Bridget stood ready to open , while Clara and Mabel waited at the hall-door , to receive the joyful little party , and Aunt Mary formed the background of the scene . ` How smart you are , Freddy , ' remarked Clara , as she handed that young gentleman out of the cab ; ` why , I never saw you in that dress before . ' ` We were kept waiting some time , ' said his mamma , ` because he would not have his other clothes on .