nearly nine o'clock
`` I have asked my friend , Professor Peterkin , the Swede , to come in to-night with his mastiff . '' When their uncle mentioned the mastiff , Aralia and Pansy began to tremble for Veevee , but Tom only laughed . `` Why , '' he said , `` although Briton -- that 's his name -- is big enough to tackle a bear , he would n't injure a mouse . '' It was nearly nine o'clock when the professor arrived . Briton marched in first , and a bigger and more noble-looking fellow was never seen . Veevee said he could n't stand another dog in the place . So he started up , barking loudly , and offering to fight the mastiff to the death on the spot .