nine o'clock
`` Now comes the pink ice cream , '' sang Ian , dancing a-tiptoe as they reached the street ; and there being but one good restaurant in town , on the high street , next to the saddler 's shop where the red goat harness was still displayed , the party drove there , and the pink ice cream was eaten , good and full measure thereof , while on their way out the coveted goat harness found itself being taken from the window to be packed away under the seat of the gig . * * * * * It was almost dinner time when father and I returned to-night , and the boys were squeezed together in a chair on the piazza , close to Miss Lavinia , while Martin sat near by on the balustrade . The boys were in a great state of giggles , and kept clapping their hands to their mouths as if they feared something would escape . I hurried upstairs , not wishing to make dinner late , as I knew Martin expected to take the nine o'clock train , just as father came in saying that Timothy had returned , and that he found the horses in a wonderful sweat , and feared they were sick , as they had n't been out all day . By this time we were in the hall and walking toward the dining room . Martin stopped short , as if to say something , and then changed his mind , while a bumping at the pantry door attracted the attention of us all . Out came Ian , a portion of the goat harness on his head and shoulders , followed by Richard , around whose neck the reins were fastened , and between them they carried the great heavy silver tea-tray only used on state occasions .