seven o'clock
`` I should like exceedingly to learn it , and Ried and the ladies may be able to make it useful in a hundred ways ; and as for the seven , if they really master it , it may be the foundation of a fortune for some of them . '' So , without more ado , it was planned that at the very next Monday evening the subject should be skilfully presented , its importance and its fascinations discussed , and the boys be beguiled into taking a first lesson , sandwiched in between the all-important reading and writing lessons . Alas for plans ! On the very next Monday the conspirators , with the exception of young Ried , were together by seven o'clock . The faint aroma of coffee floated through the room . A fruit-basket filled with oranges occupied a conspicuous table , and everything waited for the guests . While they waited , instead of enjoying themselves as the four were certainly capable of doing , they were noticeably restless ; listened for the shuffling of careless feet on the steps , and the sound of uncultured voices in the hall , and waited expectantly whenever the bell pealed , only to be obliged to send word to some caller that `` Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were engaged . ''