nine o'clock
A shadow overcast the doctor 's face as he replied , `` Your dear mother will not welcome you at our home as we had hoped . She lies very ill in a hospital at present , awaiting a severe operation , the success of which may save her life -- God grant it may -- but the boys and Babs are wild with excitement and longing to see you . We ought to reach ` Aroha ' before they are in bed . It is only nine o'clock , and we can go part of the way by train ; then we shall have a long buggy drive through the bush . '' That day Eva never forgot . Travelling with one who was practically a stranger to her and yet her nearest relative , the girl felt embarrassed . She wanted to hear about her future surroundings and ask questions about the children , but she found it hard to disguise her disappointment in having to leave her old home and to pretend enthusiasm about her brothers and sister ; she feared that her father would read her thoughts and be hurt and offended , so relapsed into silence .