about nine
in the morning
And besides , there were some things he would dearly love to fetch back with him -- things that Bunny had long gone without , for the boys had seen that she was barefooted . So it was arranged , to the delight of the good woman and the three young Stormways . This had been a great event in the lives of the boy and two girls , and they never wearied of hanging about the young fellow who had known `` mon 's daddy . '' The mule was borrowed from the obliging neighbor , and about nine in the morning they started for Morehead , George being mounted on the back of the animal , though he tried to insist upon their taking turns . But at this both boys laughed in scorn . Why , that five miles would only be a `` flea bite , '' as Thad declared , to them ; and they really needed the exercise , after being cooped up so long aboard the little old Tramp , Bunny saw them depart with considerable emotion . Thad was afraid she would insist on kissing him again , but the good woman contented herself with squeezing his hands and telling him once more what a blessing he had brought to her poor little home .