a quarter to nine
It was a cheerful sight to see . But what made it so valuable in the sight of the captain of the School eleven was that he there saw his young hands shaking off their shyness and awe of the Lord 's men , as they crossed hands and capered about on the grass together ; for the strangers entered into it all , and threw away their cigars , and danced and shouted like boys ; while old Mr. Aislabie stood by looking on in his white hat , leaning on a bat , in benevolent enjoyment . `` This hop will be worth thirty runs to us to-morrow , and will be the making of Raggles and Johnson , '' thinks the young leader , as he revolves many things in his mind , standing by the side of Mr. Aislabie , whom he will not leave for a minute , for he feels that the character of the School for courtesy is resting on his shoulders . But when a quarter to nine struck , and he saw old Thomas beginning to fidget about with the keys in his hand , he thought of the Doctor 's parting monition , and stopped the cornopean at once , notwithstanding the loud-voiced remonstrances from all sides ; and the crowd scattered away from the close , the eleven all going into the School-house , where supper and beds were provided for them by the Doctor 's orders . Deep had been the consultations at supper as to the order of going in , who should bowl the first over , whether it would be best to play steady or freely ; and the youngest hands declared that they should n't be a bit nervous , and praised their opponents as the jolliest fellows in the world , except perhaps their old friends the Wellesburn men . How far a little good-nature from their elders will go with the right sort of boys ! The morning had dawned bright and warm , to the intense relief of many an anxious youngster , up betimes to mark the signs of the weather .