five o'clock
The little birthday girl joyfully took the bright coin , and dropped it into the monkey 's outstretched paw , receiving from him a characteristic `` thank you , '' which caused more glee . Again and again the little gay-coated messenger made trips up and down the wisteria , transferring the pennies from the children 's hands to his master 's pocket , until the yellow coins finally gave out , and the Doctor was obliged to say , `` No more ! '' Even then the man smilingly played on , and when at last he and the monkey bade their patrons good-bye , Elsie thought that no little girl ever had so `` splendid '' a birthday as she was having . The party tea was served precisely at half-past five o'clock , and such a tea ! Little biscuits scarcely bigger than silver dollars , small tarts filled with fig marmalade , great berries that the children agreed were super-bondonjical , tiny nut cookies , a frosted cake decorated with nine pink candles , chocolate in pretty cups , and -- to top off the feast -- ice cream in the shape of chickens ! Miss Lucy and Polly and Dr. Dudley served those little people who could not be at the table , and nobody -- not even the birthday girl herself -- enjoyed it all better than did Polly May . Polly was eagerly anticipating the time when Elsie should be presented with the signet ring , and followed Miss Lucy 's movements with watchful eyes .