five
minutes before nine
`` Yes , you may be sure I 'll come the first minute I can , '' Eva answered gayly . `` I expect to have a lovely time with you in those beautiful rooms , and I 've had a lovely time to-night . Good-by , '' giving her friend a hearty embrace . `` Well , children , '' the captain said at breakfast the next morning , `` remember , I expect every one of you to be in the schoolroom at five minutes before nine , and to begin studying exactly at the hour . '' `` Every thing to be done with naval precision , I suppose , '' remarked Violet , giving him a bright half-saucy smile ; `` that being , I understand , about on a par with military . '' `` Yes , '' he said , smiling in return , `` that is to be the rule in this house for every one but my wife : she is to follow her own sweet will in all things . '' `` Ah ! ''