ten o'clock
The excuse for the twins was their Uncle George . He had been telling them all about the Uffington spectre and Wayland Smith 's cave , and had given them `` Puck '' as a birthday present . They were always given their birthday presents between them , because otherwise they did not care for them . They had retired to their respective bedrooms at ten o'clock and taken it in turns to lie awake . At the first streak of dawn Victoria , who had been watching by her window , woke Victor , as arranged . Victor was for giving it up and going to sleep again , but Victoria reminding him of the `` oath , '' they dressed themselves quite simply , and let themselves down by the ivy . They came across Malvina close to the tail of the White Horse .