nine o'clock
They saw the quaintness vanish from the farm-houses ; first the dormer-windows , then the curve of the steep roof , then the steep roof itself . By and by they came to a store with a Grecian portico and four square pine pillars . They shuddered and looked no more . The guiltily dreaded examination of baggage at Island Pond took place at nine o'clock , without costing them a cent of duty or a pang of conscience . At that charming station the trunks are piled higgledy-piggledy into a room beside the track , where a few inspectors with stifling lamps of smoky kerosene await the passengers . There are no porters to arrange the baggage , and each lady and gentleman digs out his box , and opens it before the lordly inspector , who stirs up its contents with an unpleasant hand and passes it . He makes you feel that you are once more in the land of official insolence , and that , whatever you are collectively , you are nothing personally .