three o’clock
The dancing pavilion was put up near the Danish laundry , on a vacant lot surrounded by tall , arched cottonwood trees . It was very much like a merry-go-round tent , with open sides and gay flags flying from the poles . Before the week was over , all the ambitious mothers were sending their children to the afternoon dancing class . At three o'clock one met little girls in white dresses and little boys in the round-collared shirts of the time , hurrying along the sidewalk on their way to the tent . Mrs. Vanni received them at the entrance , always dressed in lavender with a great deal of black lace , her important watch-chain lying on her bosom . She wore her hair on the top of her head , built up in a black tower , with red coral combs . When she smiled , she showed two rows of strong , crooked yellow teeth .