nine o'clock
`` Because I could n't , Miss Fanny , '' growled Noddy . `` I had to wash out this confounded boat-house , or be reported to Miss Bertha . '' `` Could n't you do that after you got back ? '' `` Ben said I must do it before nine o'clock . I wanted to go down to the Point , as I agreed , but you see I could n't . '' `` I waited for you till I got tired out , '' pouted Fanny ; but she neglected to add that five minutes on ordinary occasions were the full limit of her patience . `` Hang the old boat-house !