nine o'clock
`` Mind you , Phil , -- I do n't say I 'll never drink again . '' `` I 'm not asking you to promise that , '' answered Phil . `` Right ! At nine o'clock to-night I 'm through with the long-term Highland Fling for keeps . '' Phil assented to the proposal and left Jim to complete his potato distribution . But Jim could not have remained very long with the job , for , by the time Phil had taken a leisurely stroll round to the forge to have a few words with Sol Hanson , and had partaken of a bit of supper with Betty and the big , genial Swede , Jim had succeeded in putting up his delivery-outfit , had dressed himself out in his cowboy trappings ; chaps , Stetson , khaki shirt , red tie , belts , spurs and all complete , and was creating a furore among the law-abiding citizens down town . Phil came upon the scene -- or rather , the scene came upon Phil -- like a flash of lightning out of the heavens .