nine o'clock on Wednesday
She admitted that she enjoyed the trip very much , but her old bones felt the strain of the long day . School was to re-open on Thursday , and the Blue Birds had but one day more of vacation in which to meet and plan for the Winter Nest . Of course , they could meet after school , or Saturdays , but it seemed more like a meeting to be able to have the whole day for planning . By nine o'clock on Wednesday , therefore , they gathered in their Nest while Mrs. Talmage entertained Aunt Selina on the veranda with past doings of the children . Mr. Talmage had to go to the city , and he said that Uncle Ben might come back with him for a few days ' visit . Uncle Ben was his only brother , the one who had given Ned the printing outfit for a Christmas gift . Ruth told the Blue Birds all about Happy Hills and Aunt Selina 's plan for the city children .