three
o'clock in the morning
Around the board , besides the nine `` Little Sons , '' sat six guests , among them the DeMilles , Peggy Gray and Mary Valentine . `` Nopper '' Harrison was the only absent `` Little Son '' and his health was proposed by Brewster almost before the echoes of the toast to the bride and groom died away . Interruption came earlier on this occasion than it did that night a year ago . Ellis did not deliver his message to Brewster until three o'clock in the morning , but the A.D.T. boy who rang the bell at Pettingill 's a year later handed him a telegram before twelve o'clock . `` Congratulations are coming in , old man , '' said DeMille , as Monty looked fearfully at the little envelope the boy had given him . `` Many happy returns of the day , '' suggested Bragdon . `` By Jove , it 's sensible of you to get married on your birthday , Monty .