about half past nine o'clock
We only stayed about five minutes , because it did not seem quite the place for girls , although everyone treated us with the most scrupulous respect , instantly hushing their jokes as we approached , and making way for us like courtiers for foreign royalties in a drawing-room . And when we got out in the street there appeared to be some excitement in the air . Hundreds of men were loitering about or talking in groups , and the Senator , much to our disappointment , made us go back to the hotel . It was only about half past nine o'clock , and we thought to go to bed an extremely dull proceeding . But we did not like to question or argue , and obediently went upstairs . And when the Senator and Nelson saw us safely in our rooms , with the secretary and Mr. Vinerhorn left to be a sort of guard to us , they all went out again to show Tom more sights . Everything was perfectly quiet ; the hotel is against the mountain and rather away from the main and only regular street .