a quarter before ten
`` Nonsense , '' said Molly , and she swept out of the room and crawled into her bed , very weary and cold and frightened , wondering what the morrow would bring forth in the way of punishment for her -- or was it to be for Judy ? In the meantime , foolish Judy carefully coiled up the rope ladder and hid it in the bottom of her trunk . Not a word did Molly say to Nance or the unsuspecting Judy next morning about her appointment with President Walker . `` Do n't forget Latin versification at ten , '' Nance had cautioned her as she left the sitting room a quarter before ten . Molly had forgotten it and everything else except the matter in hand , but the President 's word was law and she prepared to obey and skip the lecture . The President was waiting for her in the little study . No one was about and an ominous quiet pervaded the whole place .