nine o'clock
It was thus that the feud with my family traditions was established . `` Also , Rufus , please bring the saw with the hammer and the nails , '' was my last hand-grenade as I departed out the back door to the barn . From the old clock standing against the wall in the back hall I discovered the hour to be exactly seven-thirty , and I felt that I had what would seem like a week ahead of me before the setting of the sun . However , I was wrong in my judgment , for time fairly fled from me , and it was nine o'clock by my platinum wrist-watch before I had more than got one very wobbly-looking box nailed together on the floor of the barn , and I was deep in both pride and exhaustion . `` I knew I could do it , but I did n't believe it , '' I was remarking to myself in great congratulations when a shadow fell across the light from the door . I looked up and , behold , Mrs. Silas Beesley loomed up against the sun and seemed to shine with equal refulgence to my delighted eyes ! In her hand she held a plate covered with a snowy napkin , and her blue eyes danced with delighted astonishment .