nine o'clock
he asked . `` At nine o'clock , Sergeant , '' Hal responded . `` Then , as long as you do n't bother anyone else , you can just as well stroll where you please around the post , until nine , '' continued the sergeant . `` Of course you know that nine o'clock means nine to the very minute ? '' `` We were taught a lot about punctuality at the rendezvous station , '' Hal answered . `` Punctuality is about the greatest virtue in Army life , '' nodded the first sergeant of D Company , as he moved away . In the interval of time at their disposal Hal and Noll were able to see a good deal of Fort Clowdry .