eight o'clock
Exchange Place was the heart of the city -- a wide square on which fronted the city hall , the court house , the railroad station , and several other of the more important buildings of the place . In the center of the square a Red Cross booth was built and trimmed with Christmas greens , which had just come into market . Members of the several city chapters appeared in uniform to take part in the fête . There was a platform for speakers , and a bandstand , and before eight o'clock on Tuesday evening a great crowd had assembled to take part in the exercises . That one of the Central High school girls had suggested and really planned the affair , made it all the more popular . `` What wo n't Laura Belding think of next ? '' asked those who knew her .