nine o'clock
Nothing more was said on the subject ; the girls busied themselves with the dinner dishes . Phil and Billy drew the nails from the waiting Christmas boxes . Jim cracked nuts for the Christmas dinner . It was after nine o'clock when the kitchen was in order , the breakfast table set , and the sitting-room made ready for the evening 's excitement . Then Susan went to the old square piano and opened it , and Phil , in absolute silence , found her the music she wanted among the long-unused sheets of music on the piano . `` If we are going to DO this , '' said Philip then , `` we must n't break down ! '' `` Nope , '' said Betts , at whom the remark seemed to be directed , with a gulp .