eight o'clock
`` Really , children , '' interposed Miss Sallie in an annoyed tone , `` if you begin to conjure up mystery over so simple a matter as a dinner invitation I shall feel obliged to keep you all at home . One would think I was chaperoning a party of young sleuths , instead of four normal girls out for a holiday . '' This remark was received with discreet silence , on the part of the four girls , and whatever their thoughts on Marian 's warning were they sternly repressed uttering them aloud during the remainder of the time spent in the grove . * * * * * At eight o'clock that night Miss Sallie and the `` Automobile Girls '' were seated about the countess 's table with only their hostess and her chaperon . There were no other guests at dinner . `` How delightful not to be bored by stupid men ! '' exclaimed the countess , smiling at her circle of guests .