five o'clock
Sue and Blue Bonnet had both been invited to the dance -- an almost unheard of privilege . Sue had been thus favored because her brother Billy was to be Annabel 's guest , and Blue Bonnet , because Annabel had begged Miss North , almost on her hands and knees to grant her this one last request . It was a long established custom for the young men to arrive at noon , pay their respects to teachers and the girls who had invited them and remain on for a concert , tea , or whatever had been planned for their entertainment . At five o'clock they left to dress for the dinner which preceded the dance . Annabel lost no time with her toilet . In ten minutes she was dressed , with Blue Bonnet 's help , and as sweet a vision as youth , good health and beauty could produce . Blue Bonnet stood before her enraptured .