five o'clock
And during the remainder of that evening Mopsey rehearsed the different members of the combination separately , until he was convinced that they could carry out their respective _ roles _ perfectly . However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested , it was quite evident , before that eventful Saturday had passed , that it would seriously injure their regular business . At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons , or those who had already purchased their tickets ; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots . Therefore , when they stopped work at five o'clock , according to agreement , so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight , they had not made more than ten cents apiece . They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them , for nearly all of the tickets had been sold , and in contemplating the theatrical receipts , those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of . There was every prospect that they would have a large audience , and when they went to Mrs. Green 's they congratulated themselves on having thought of such a brilliant project . That Mopsey was a thoughtful manager , as well as sparkling author , was shown by a notice which the boys found fastened to the street-door .