eight o'clock
`` There seems to be a disposition on the part of the young men present to turn me into a dog-catcher . I doubt whether this is altogether unselfish . I do not say that they would rather remain indoors and teach the girls how to play billiards , but I quite appreciate their reasons for not wishing to roam about in the snow and whistle for a dog . However , to oblige the despondent mistress of this valuable member of the household , I will risk pneumonia , and I will , at the same time , in order to make the event interesting to all concerned , back myself to bring that dog back by eight o'clock . Now , then , if any of you unselfish youths have any sporting blood , you will just name the sum . '' They named one hundred dollars , and arranged that Van Bibber was to have the dog back by eight o'clock , or just in time for dinner ; for Van Bibber said he would n't miss his dinner for all the dogs in the two hemispheres , unless the dogs happened to be his own . Van Bibber put on his great-coat and told the man to bring around the dog-cart ; then he filled his pockets with cigars and placed a flask of brandy under the seat , and wrapped the robes around his knees .