nine o'clock before
Something kept bothering Emerson -- calling Grantie -- the way she used to -- all the time he was talking ! '' The father let Grant out of the buggy at the Vanderbilt House in South Harvey , and the old mare and her driver jogged up town to the _ Tribune _ office . There he creaked out of the buggy and went to his work . It was nine o'clock before the Captain came capering in , and the two old codgers in their seventies went into the plot of the surprise party with the enthusiasm of boys . After the Captain had explained the purpose of the surprise , Amos Adams sat with his hands on his knees and smiled . `` Well -- well , Ezry -- I did n't realize it . Time certainly does fly .