nine o'clock
`` They must go by nine o'clock , '' said Mrs. Maynard , answering the question herself . `` The three older ones may sit up until then . '' `` All right , Madam Maynard ; then I shall devote my attention to the three until their bedtime , after which I may be able to chat a little while with you and Ed . '' Cousin Jack was as good as his word , and entertained the children zealously until nine o'clock . He arranged a magic lantern show , and as the pictures were very funny , and Cousin Jack 's description of them funnier still , the young Maynards were kept in peals of laughter , in which the older part of the audience often joined . After this , he let them listen to a large talking-machine , and as many of the records were humorous songs or comical dialogues , there was more laughter and hilarity . Nine o'clock came all too soon , and the children trooped off to bed , regretfully .