a quarter to nine
-LSB- 9 -RSB- #Lawrence Sheriff # : See note on Rugby , p. 72 . -LSB- 10 -RSB- #Runs # : the running from one wicket to the other by the batsmen . The game depends on these runs . But when a quarter to nine struck , and he saw old Thomas beginning to fidget about with the keys in his hand , he thought of the Doctor 's parting monition , and stopped the cornopean at once , notwithstanding the loud-voiced remonstrances from all sides ; and the crowd scattered away from the close , the eleven all going into the School-house , where supper and beds were provided by the Doctor 's orders . Deep had been the consultations at supper as to the order of going in , who should bowl the first over , -LSB- 11 -RSB- whether it would be best to play steady or freely ; and the youngest hands declared that they should n't be a bit nervous , and praised their opponents as the jolliest fellows in the world , except , perhaps , their old friends , the Wellesburn men . How far a little good-nature from their elders will go with the right sort of boys ! -LSB- 11 -RSB- #Over # : a certain number of balls pitched in succession from one side .