nine o'clock
`` And so , '' said Mara , `` if Moses should happen to get on an iceberg , a bear might take care of him , you know . '' `` Jist so , jist so , '' said the Captain ; `` so do n't you worry your little curly head one bit . Some time when you come down to see Sally , we 'll go down to the cove , and I 'll tell you lots of stories about chil ` en that have been fetched up by white bears , jist like Romulus and what 's his name there . '' `` Come , Mis ' Kittridge , '' added the cheery Captain ; `` you and I must n't be keepin ' the folks up till nine o'clock . '' `` Well now , '' said Mrs. Kittridge , in a doleful tone , as she began to put on her bonnet , `` Mis ' Pennel , you must keep up your spirits -- it 's one 's duty to take cheerful views of things . I 'm sure many 's the night , when the Captain 's been gone to sea , I 've laid and shook in my bed , hearin ' the wind blow , and thinking what if I should be left a lone widow . '' `` There 'd a-been a dozen fellows a-wanting to get you in six months , Polly , '' interposed the Captain .