half past nine
It was a beautiful morning too , and as the girls dressed hurriedly they were glad that they had arranged to start early . In that way they could take their time and enjoy to the full the glorious ride to Moonlight Falls . It was only fifty-five miles , but by driving slowly they could make it seem like twice that . It was barely half past nine when Betty , having finished breakfast and put the last finishing touches to her new white hat , ran around to the garage to get the car out . Ten minutes later she had drawn up in front of Mollie 's house , her ears still ringing with the hundred and one instructions of her anxious mother , and was tooting the horn of her little car furiously . The summons had the desired effect . Mollie came running from the house , straightening her hat with one hand and lugging a valise in the other while the twins trailed at her skirts .