nearly nine o'clock
`` Hurray ! '' cried Teddy . `` It 'll be fun , '' added Janet . As the children sat down to breakfast , the lights being turned on because it was so dark , though it was nearly nine o'clock , their father and Uncle Frank got dressed ready to go out to the barn . The men had on their overcoats , caps and big rubber boots . On their hands were warm gloves and each one carried a snow shovel , which the Curlytops ' father had brought up from the cellar . `` We 're going to try to get out to the barn , '' said Mr. Martin .