ten o'clock
Why not at the coal-heaving contest ? '' `` Perhaps the boys thought there would n't be such a crowd at the Bridal , '' ventured Polly , guilelessly . Tom and Eleanor laughed , and the former said : `` Well , I 'll see that you two get there in ample time for the Bridal . '' Long before ten o'clock , John and Anne had disappeared , and that left Tom to the sweet mercy of Barbara . He clung desperately to Polly and Eleanor until it was time to take them to the Bridal Contest , and then he begged Mrs. Brewster to take care of Barbara while he was absent with the girls . Mrs. Brewster understood that Tom did not care for the young lady 's company , and she said in a low tone : `` I would feel easier if I thought those four young people had a sensible head to look after them in this great multitude , Tom . '' Tom looked at her , but she seemed innocent of any hidden meaning ; so he replied fervently : `` If you will tell Polly this , I will be only too happy to be the ` head ' they need . ''