nine o'clock
Four eager voices told him of the search and the finding , and he smiled quietly as he helped himself to jam . `` I wonder what you took me for ! '' he said , `` I truly wonder . The boat went to bed at nine o'clock , with the rest of the children . I beg your pardon , Miss Grahame , '' he added , turning to Hildegarde with his kind , grave smile , `` for naming you in company with this lawless crew of mine . '' `` Oh , please , '' cried Hildegarde , `` I like to -- I wish I were -- '' She stammered , and felt herself blushing in the furious way that makes a girl the most helpless creature in the world . She would have given her hand , she thought , to keep back the tide that surged up over throat and cheek and brow .