nine o'clock
`` Impossible ! '' came in a general chorus , from all present . `` Well , it sounds like it , but it is true enough , '' and Ralph repeated , word for word , the proclamation which he had translated to Major Tempe . As might have been expected , it raised a perfect storm of indignation ; and this lasted until , at nine o'clock , the sergeant gave the word : `` Lights out . '' In the morning , after parade , Ralph and Percy strolled away together and had a long talk and , at the end of an hour , they walked to the house where Major Tempe had established his headquarters . `` Good morning , my friends , '' he said , as they entered . `` Is there anything I can do for you ?