nine o'clock
Mr. Leonard had even gone to Mrs. Jardine and entreated her to let him undertake a moderate programme of athletic exercises with Claude ; but he might as well have tried to lift the high-school building as to make her change her set ideas . Hugh and Thad had been out on a particular night after supper , visiting another boy who chanced to live on the outskirts of town . He had received a wonderful collection of curios from an uncle living out in India , after whom he had been named ; and upon being especially invited over to view these things , which included a wonderful assortment of rare postage stamps , the two chums had made it a point to accept , being greatly interested in all boyish `` hobbies . '' That was how they happened to be passing along the road close to the athletic grounds about half-past nine o'clock that same night . There was a fair moon shining , but objects appeared more or less misty , as often occurs under such conditions . The boys had about exhausted their vocabulary of words that express delight , in examining the many things of interest shown by `` Limpy '' Wallace , who was a cripple , and had to use a crutch , he being also a great admirer of Hugh Morgan , whom he considered in the light of a hero . Besides this , both boys were unusually tired after the exertions of the day , and Thad frequently yawned in a most terrific fashion , as he walked homeward .