nine o'clock
`` There is a large ship at anchor off there . '' `` But it is n't three o'clock yet . Her clocks must be out of order . '' `` Three bells ; that is half-past nine o'clock . '' `` I do n't understand it ; how should three bells mean half-past nine ? '' inquired John , who did not like to leave any nautical subject till it had been fully investigated . `` It begins to rain , and we may as well sit in the cuddy ; '' and they both retreated to the little cabin , and seated themselves on their berths .