the hour of nine
That 's what we 've got to settle now . '' There was silence for a moment , broken only by the tick of the clock in the cabin . Involuntarily Nellie glanced at it . The hands pointed to the hour of nine , and she felt that she and her sisters should be home . Jerry looked at his two companions . `` I guess we 'd better not go , '' said Bob slowly . `` I hate to give it up , but maybe it will be for the best , '' added Ned .