eight o'clock
The boy with light hair nodded without removing his gaze from the little flames that danced in the fireplace . They had discussed the day 's happenings thoroughly , had relived the game with St. Eustace from start to finish , and now the big Thanksgiving dinner which they had eaten was beginning to work upon them a spell of dormancy . It was awfully jolly , thought Neil Fletcher , to just lie there and watch the flames and -- and -- He sighed comfortably and closed his eyes . At eight o'clock he , with the rest of the victorious team , was to be drawn about the town in a barge and cheered at , but meanwhile there was time to just close his eyes -- and forget -- everything -- There was a knock at the study door . `` Go ` way ! '' grunted Neil . `` Oh , come in , '' called Paul Gale , without , however , removing his drowsy gaze from the ceiling or changing his position .