nine o'clock
His eyes were wolfish when he saw the gruel , however . `` No , you 're not so sick but that a good , square meal would be your best medicine , I 'll be bound , '' cried the gentleman , laughing . He went out to the mill then and was gone some moments ; when he returned he called Helen and Tom to come with him quickly to the car . `` Remember and be ready as early as nine o'clock , Ruth ! '' called Helen , looking back as she climbed into the automobile . When her friends had bowled away up the frozen road , Ruth came back into the kitchen . Aunt Alvirah was still in the bedroom with their strange guest .