nine P.M.
First there was `` mother dear , '' and as persons under fifteen are always pressed for time and uniformly breathless , this appellation was shortened to `` Motherdy , '' and Peter being unable to struggle with that term , had abbreviated it into `` Muddy . '' `` Muddy '' in itself is undistinguished and even unpleasant , but when accompanied by a close strangling hug , pats on the cheek , and ardent if somewhat sticky kisses , grows by degrees to possess delightful associations . Mother Carey enjoyed it so much from Peter that she even permitted it to be taken up by the elder children . `` You must n't have ideas after nine P.M. , Nancy ! '' chided her mother . `` Wrap the blue blanket around you and sit down with me near the fire . '' `` You 're not to say I 'm romantic or unpractical , '' insisted Nancy , leaning against her mother 's knees and looking up into her face , -- `` indeed , you 're not to say anything of any importance till I 'm all finished .