nine o'clock
`` A new pupil is coming , '' announced Winnie with an air of great solemnity . `` Be patient , my friends , and I 'll tell you how I know . Dinner being earlier to-day , I managed to get back to school sooner than usual , and was just crossing the hall to join you all in the school-room , when the drawing-room door opened , and Mrs. Elder appeared , accompanied by a lady in a long loose cloak and huge bonnet -- regular coal-scuttle affair , girls ; so large , in fact , that it was quite impossible to get a glimpse of her face . Mrs. Elder was saying as I passed , ` I shall expect your niece to-morrow morning , Miss Latimer , at nine o'clock ; and trust she will prosecute her studies with all diligence , and prove a credit to the school . ' '' Winnie mimicked the lady-principal 's soft , plausible voice as she spoke . `` A new pupil ! '' remarked Ada once more , her voice raised in supreme contempt ; `` really , Winnie , I fail to understand your excitement over such a trifle .