one o'clock
Then both boys spurred their horses eagerly onward . Eleanor and Jim felt perfectly at ease as they met and shook hands , but it was evident that Polly and Kenneth Evans were not accustomed to social ways or behavior , for both acted rather awkward at this meeting . However , Eleanor generally fitted into any breach , and now she unconsciously steered the would-be friendly craft of the four past the reefs of self-consciousness into the haven of youthful reciprocity . `` We thought you were _ never _ coming -- it 's past one o'clock you know , and we looked for you at eleven , '' said she , catching Jim by the sleeve and leading the way to the road where the two horses were waiting . `` We expected to be here at half-past ten , or eleven at the latest , but it is a long story to tell , and we ought to explain to your mother at the same time , '' replied Jim , throwing the bridle over his arm and starting to walk beside Eleanor . Naturally , Kenneth and Polly followed , but Eleanor turned around every other moment to include them in her vivacious conversation about the land-slide and the fears that Choko 's Find was lost . `` Oh , but say !