three o'clock before
Uncle Tom indignantly denied the latter imputation , and set about preparing the chowder immediately , the girls offering eager but inexperienced help . Bruce tried to help , too , but only succeeded , as usual , in getting himself in the way . And after that came bliss ! The girls succeeded in devouring a huge pot of delicious chowder -- it was better than that they had had the night before , because it was freshly made -- and it was after three o'clock before they finally tore themselves from the lighthouse and Uncle Tom and started for the Danvers ' bungalow . `` Come again and come often , '' he called after them in his megaphone voice , one hand stroking Bruce 's beautiful head as the big dog stood beside him . `` We will , '' they answered happily . `` Especially if you give us clam chowder every time , '' Billie laughed back at him over her shoulder .