four o'clock
`` Human nature , '' said David Linton , smiling . `` These youngsters who are riding would sneak a yard or two if they were n't closely watched , and they would never start fair ; the only way is to put each in charge of a responsible man with a good watch , and let him start them . What time is the race ? Oh , four o'clock . Well , I never yet saw a pony race that started on time ; neither the ponies nor the boys are easy to handle , and I see there are ten of them . Watch them ; it 's after four , and they must be nearly ready to start . '' The ponies were strung out round the course , each with a `` shepherd '' standing to attention near its bridle , watch in hand .