ten minutes to eleven
They were up at daybreak the next morning , and Miss Hope insisted on dusting and sweeping the whole house , though , as Bob said , it was hardly likely that their visitors would insist on seeing the attic . `` It is n't the house Mr. Gordon is interested in , '' the boy maintained sagaciously . `` There 's oil here , Aunt Hope , '' and this time Miss Hope did not contradict him . At ten minutes to eleven Mr. Gordon drove up with a small , sandy-haired man who wore large horn-rimmed spectacles . He was introduced to Miss Hope and her sister as Mr. Lindley Vernet , and then the four went into the parlor and closed the door . `` Children not wanted , '' said Mr. Gordon , grinning over his shoulder at Bob and Betty , left sitting on the porch . `` Children ! ''