nine o'clock
`` It 's growing daylight and there 's the Pass , at last ! '' suddenly cried Judith . Douglas drew a deep breath and urged on the weary horses . It was full nine o'clock when the team drew up at the post-office door . At Doug 's halloo , Peter Knight appeared . Sister crowded out the door past him , pricked her ears forward and ran to sniff at the rear of the buckboard . `` What on earth brings you back at this hour ? ''