eight o'clock
Grandmother and Mother and Alice unpacked the baskets and they all sat around and enjoyed the feast . Grandmother 's fried chicken and crullers and rolls and Alice 's fine cake , which was given the place of honor on a rock by itself where it could be seen all the time till they were ready to eat it , were pronounced the best ever . The moon rose so clear and big and beautiful that it was hard to tell just when day ended and night began . So it was a surprise when Grandfather announced that it was eight o'clock and high time they were starting home . The few scraps , and there were n't very many , were packed neatly into one basket and the party regretfully left the rocks and started for the car . `` Nobody ever comes along this road at this time of night , '' said Grandfather . `` I 'll just get the car out into the middle of the road where you can get in easier . ''