nine
o'clock
`` Oh , I like that ! '' agreed Ellen , and edged her chair an inch nearer `` Uncle Andy . '' Dinner over , Celia bore Ellen home to bed . Charlotte suggested the same possibility for the Peyton children , but although it was nearing nine o'clock , both refused so decidedly that after a glance at their mother , who took no notice , Charlotte said no more . Randolph grew sleepy in his chair , and Doctor Churchill presently took pity on him . He sat down beside the lad and told him a story of so intentionally monotonous a character that Randolph was soon half over the border . Then the doctor picked him up , and with the drooping head on his shoulder observed , pleasantly : `` This lad wants his bed , Cousin Lula .