Eleven o'clock
Not only was the interior spacious and imposing but it was bewilderingly beautiful and contained marvel after marvel that the lad longed to examine . The large tiger-skin rugs that covered the floor piqued his interest , so did the chiming clock , and a fountain that welled up and splashed into a marble pool filled with goldfish . Why , he could have entertained himself for an hour with this latter wonder alone ! There was , however , no leisure for loitering for on hearing the cadence of the chimes Jerry ejaculated in consternation : `` Eleven o'clock already ! Land alive ! We 'll have to get the fires blazing lively . Why , the folks may be here any minute now .