three o'clock
The exploits , the feats performed by the three circus girls , and by Tom the clown , to say nothing of the advent of the elephant and of the donkey who could perform numberless tricks , and finally , the performances of the troop of dogs , who seemed more human than most human beings , all fascinated the little girl . Even Orion forgot his terrors as he looked on ; his cheeks flamed through their walnut dye , and his dark eyes grew brighter than ever . When the rehearsal was at last over , the whole party rushed back to their rooms , where a hasty meal was served ; and little Diana sat between two of the circus girls and was petted , and laughed at , and made much of , and Orion kept close to Aunt Sarah , who took care that he should have as many tit-bits as she could manage to secure for him . At three o'clock there was a public performance , but now neither Diana nor Orion was allowed to be present . They found themselves shut up once more in the ugly little room , where Mother Rodesia had first taken them . From this place they could hear as a sort of distant echo the shouts of the men and women who were performing , and the cheers of the people who were looking on . At six o'clock the performance came to an end , and then , indeed , began a fearful bustle and excitement .