half past nine
So I was glad I remembered to speak of it , and catching Mr. Brett 's eyes I saw such a twinkling smile in them that I hurried to look away , or I should have laughed and spoiled everything . There could n't be a greater contrast between two men than between the Reverend Jonas Panter and the great Whit Walker of the Emporium at Hermann 's Corners . We drove to Mr. Walker 's after the Panters had gone , as we all felt -LRB- though nobody put it precisely into words -RRB- that we wanted some enlivening . We did n't start until after `` tea , '' as the Emporium is always open till half past nine , and there was going to be an `` ice cream festival '' there that night . I did n't know what an ice cream festival meant , but Mr. Trowbridge said I should see for myself , and it would probably be different from anything I had yet experienced . Everybody from the farm went except Elisha , who did n't wish to , as he is not quite happy yet , and is practising the flute of evenings . Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Brett and I all drove in the buggy .