The Story of the Gravelys by Marshall Saunders

Unfortunately for Berty, a woman across the street chose the hour of seven o'clock to have a fit of hysterics. Nothing would satisfy her perturbed relatives but a visit from "Madam," as Grandma was known to the street.

Half-past seven came, and no Mayor. Selina Everest, tall, pale, and lilylike, in white and green, arrived soon after, then came Margaretta and Roger, and then, to Berty's dismay, appeared Tom Everest, dropping in as if he expected to find her alone.