one o'clock
`` I think that is the best plan , do n't you , Max ? '' questioned Jarvis . Max nodded reluctantly . No matter how hospitably the tiny cottage might be thrown open for their reception , it would certainly be overtaxing its capacity to attempt to make nine extra people comfortable there for the remainder of the night -- it was barely one o'clock . `` We 'll gladly stretch the walls to take you all in , '' said Donald Ferry , `` but perhaps the big house plan is the better . Suppose you ladies go over and let mother satisfy her longing to be of use by making Miss Sally dry , while we fellows get the cots into the house , and bring over some wood from our pile for the fireplace . It will need open windows and a rousing fire in there to freshen the musty air . ''