nine o'clock
`` In the first place , sire , at what hour will your majesty receive the ambassadors ? '' `` Early in the morning . '' `` Eleven o'clock ? '' `` That is too late -- say nine o'clock . '' `` That will be too early , sire . '' `` For friends , that would be a matter of no importance , one does what one likes with one 's friends ; but for one 's enemies , in that case nothing could be better than if they were to feel hurt . I should not be sorry , I confess , to have to finish altogether with these marsh-birds , who annoy me with their cries . ''