half past nine
`` I can tell you what time it is , '' said Jim , looking up at the sun . `` How can you tell that way ? '' the boy asked , wondering . `` It 's half past nine , ex-actly , '' remarked Jim , drawling out the last word . Bertie looked up at the sky , but could tell nothing about the time . `` It takes experience to do it , '' said the man , laughing at his perplexed look . `` I 've had thirty-eight years to learn . ''