nine o'clock before
Marian is looking this way , and she 'll be awfully cross if she thinks we are making sport of her . '' `` She reminds me of a song I once heard in a show which went something like this , '' and Hippy naughtily sang under his breath : `` My well-beloved circus queen , My human snake , my Angeline ! '' There was a queer choking sound from Nora and she walked quickly down to the other end of the drawing room and earnestly fixed her gaze upon a portrait of one of the judge 's ancestors , until she could gain control of her risibles . The dinner was a memorable one to both the judge and his guests , and it was after nine o'clock before the last toast had been drunk in fruit punch . Then every one repaired again to the drawing room . Shortly after , Grace , Anne , Nora , Jessica , Eva and Miriam , accompanied by David , Tom , Hippy and Reddy disappeared , closing the massive doors between the drawing room and the wide hall . Half an hour later Arnold Evans announced that all those wishing to attend the pantomime , `` The Mistletoe Bough , '' could obtain front seats in the hall .