nine o'clock
`` What in thunder 's your hurry ? '' demanded the corporal , halting for a moment on the crest of the rise and gazing down . `` I told you as I 'd fetch a party to clear the patch for you ; an ' , what 's more , the spuds shall be delivered to your door sometime this very day . But the Captain ca n't spare a man this side o ' nine o'clock , an ' so I was to tell you . '' He descended the slope , mopping his brow . `` Pretty good tubers ? '' Nicky-Nan hypocritically dived a hand into the sack , drew forth a fistful , and held them out in his open palm .