nine o'clock
`` Be sure to keep Abner in the shade , and come home just as soon as he begins to grow tired , '' cried Aunt Olive as Toby spoke to the ponies , and they dashed off like a couple of well-trained Newfoundland dogs . `` I 'll take care of him like he was wax , '' cried Toby as they drove out through the gateway , and Mr. Stubbs 's brother screamed and chattered with delight , while Abner lay back restful and happy . It was just the kind of a morning for a ride , and Abner appeared to enjoy it so much that Toby turned the little steeds in the direction of the village , driving fully a mile before going to the pasture . When they did arrive at the place where the first rehearsal was to be held , they found the partners gathered in full force ; and , although it was not even then nine o'clock , they had evidently been there some time . Joe Robinson ran to let the bars down , while the ponies pranced into the field as if they knew they were the objects of admiration from all that party , and they shook their tiny heads until the petals fell from the roses in a shower upon the grass . Mr. Stubbs 's brother stood as erect as possible , and was so excited by the cheers of the boys that he seized the flowers he had tucked over his ears , and flung them at the party in great glee . The carriage was driven into the shade cast by the alders ; the ponies were unharnessed , and fastened where they could have a feast of grass ; and Toby was ready for business , or thought he was .