nine o'clock
Yes , that 'll be by far the best way . They 'd knock their feathers about in a hamper and get dirty again . They 've had one breakfast already , but I think they deserve a little scrap of Indian corn as a reward for what they 've gone through . '' All exhibits had to be delivered at the Show field by nine o'clock , and precisely at half-past eight a procession set off from the Parsonage : Lesbia carefully carrying a dozen beautiful brown eggs in a basket , the three boys with small hampers of chickens , Dick holding a little wooden crate containing Black Minorca cockerels , and finally Winnie and Gwen , each clasping a huge white Aylesbury in her arms . Dick had offered gallantly to be duck bearer , but the girls preferred to transport their own pets . `` They know us so well , you see , '' said Gwen , `` so they wo n't struggle like they would with a stranger . Besides , we know just the dodge of holding down their wings so that they ca n't flap . ''