eleven o'clock
Those receiving invitations had immediately planned their costumes and by eight o'clock that evening , resplendent in their own and borrowed finery , were on their way to the ball . At ten o'clock there had been a brief intermission , when cakes and ices were served . This had been an unlooked-for courtesy on the part of Arline , who had plunged recklessly into her month 's allowance for the purchase of the little spread . The ball had lasted until half-past eleven o'clock , and the participants , after singing to Arline and rendering her a noisy vote of thanks , had gone home tired and happy . Saturday had been devoted to the `` odds and ends '' of vacation . The majority of the girls , having stayed in Overton , paid long-deferred calls , gave luncheons or dinners at Vinton 's or Martell 's , or , the day being unusually clear , went for long walks . Guest House was the destination of a party of girls of whom Grace made one , and which also included Miriam , Elfreda , Laura Atkins , Violet Darby and half a dozen other young women who had elected the five-mile walk , supper , and a return by moonlight .