eight o'clock
There was such confusion behind the scenes on New Year 's eve that Cousin Helen put her hands over her ears when she came in . `` It is time to begin , '' she said . `` Ikey and Helen are first . '' The performers had advertised their entertainment very thoroughly , and as a result a large and interested audience of young people had assembled before eight o'clock . When at length the curtain rose in response to vigorous clapping , it brought to view a fine stage , on which was a cottage with a window and door and a lifelike chimney , and everything was covered with glistening snow . After the audience had had time to admire this scene sufficiently , a boy and girl entered , dressed in outdoor costume . They looked sad , and the girl took her handkerchief from her muff and held it to her eyes .