about nine o'clock
In his usual generous manner he tried to gloss over the conduct of Puss and spoke as though the other had tumbled overboard during a little boyish roughhouse business ; but Janet knew of the enmity between the pair , and she could read between the lines . Frank spent a couple of hours after supper in poring over a book Andy had loaned him . And it might easily be assumed that it had to do with the birds , animals , fauna and inhabitants of that great country lying north of the equator , down in Central and South America . It was about nine o'clock when his father called to him . The doctor had just come in from a few last visits and looked anxious . `` Frank , I 'm in a peck of trouble , '' he said , with a whimsical smile , `` and I wish you could help me out , though I dislike putting you to so much trouble . '' `` Oh , do n't mind that , dad , one little bit ; you know I 'm only too glad to be of any assistance to you .