six
o'clock
Luncheon over , the Sempers had wandered in and out of one another 's rooms , exchanging confidences and reminiscences , while a wholesale unpacking of their effects went on . Later Elfreda had marshalled them to the lawn , where their tongues continued to wag busily as they strung the many-colored lanterns on every available bush , or between such trees as could be easily put into use . `` We 'd better be thinking about getting dressed for the evening , '' reminded Miriam Nesbit , consulting her wrist watch . `` It is after six o'clock . '' `` I hope it gets dark early , '' commented Elfreda , with a reflective squint at the sky . `` It will be more fun to have dinner then . Still I do n't care to let the august Sempers starve while we are waiting for night to come . ''