nine o'clock
`` Would he thrash ? '' This was the important question in Hank Banta 's mind . And the rest looked for a battle with Bud . `` It is just nine o'clock , '' said Ralph , consulting his watch , `` and I 'm glad to see you all here promptly . I should have given you a holiday if you had asked me like gentlemen yesterday . On the whole , I think I shall give you a holiday , anyhow . The school is dismissed . ''