four o'clock
Marjorie did not know quite what a professional entertainer was , but it sounded interesting , and she was quite sure she could manage to greet the guests politely . Although Marjorie 's mother was in the room , she had little to say , for Grandma Maynard was accustomed to dominate everything in her own house . And as her ideas were not entirely in accord with those of her daughter-in-law , the younger Mrs. Maynard thought it wise not to obtrude her own opinions . Promptly at four o'clock the children began to come . The Maynards stood in a group at one end of the long room , and as each guest arrived , a footman stationed at the doorway announced the name in a loud voice . Then each little guest came and curtsied to the receiving party , and after a few polite remarks , passed on , and was ushered to a seat by another footman . The seats were small , gilt chairs with red cushions , arranged all round the wall , and there were about forty .