ten minutes after two
She would go to the concert full of energy . When she set off , after dinner , Mrs. Lorch , who knew Chicago weather , prevailed upon her to take her cape . The old lady said that such sudden mildness , so early in April , presaged a sharp return of winter , and she was anxious about her apple trees . The concert began at two-thirty , and Thea was in her seat in the Auditorium at ten minutes after two -- a fine seat in the first row of the balcony , on the side , where she could see the house as well as the orchestra . She had been to so few concerts that the great house , the crowd of people , and the lights , all had a stimulating effect . She was surprised to see so many men in the audience , and wondered how they could leave their business in the afternoon . During the first number Thea was so much interested in the orchestra itself , in the men , the instruments , the volume of sound , that she paid little attention to what they were playing .