nine o'clock
`` But why should you even think that I took them , Miss Muster ? '' he demanded . `` Because -- you are the only person besides myself who has been in this room the entire day . Mammy has been sick in bed since nine o'clock ; and Jake Stall did not put a foot inside the house to my personal knowledge , '' but although she said this as if to signify that her mind was made up , Fred could detect a little hesitation . She already began to realize the absurdity of the accusation . `` Stop and think , ma'am , and I 'm sure your own sense will tell you that you are wronging me when you say that , '' the boy argued , with the same positive air of conviction that had made his father declare he would make a good lawyer , if ever he felt inclined to study for the bar . `` In what way , boy ? ''