half past eight o'clock
After a while Bob Holliday and Harry Weathervane came to the door and importuned Jack to come with them . It was lonesome at home ; it would be good fun to celebrate the downfall of the old master 's cruel rule , so , taking down an old dinner-bell , Jack went off to join the rest . He was a little disgusted when he found Riley , Pewee , and Ben Berry in the company , but once in the crowd , there was little chance to back out with credit . The boys crept through the back alleys until they came in front of Mr. Higbie 's house , at half past eight o'clock . There was but one light visible , and that was in Mr. Ball 's room . Jack dropped behind , a little faint of heart about the expedition . He felt sure in himself that his mother would shake her head if she knew of it .