nine o'clock
`` Do you mind if I go along ? '' she inquired of Claire , with an air of polite triumph . `` I think I 'll go forward where I can get a quick start ... before the crowd gets too thick . I 've got a million errands to do before nine o'clock . And I _ do _ want to run into the office before Gertie settles down to work . I have n't seen her for a week and I 've got _ more _ things to tell her ! '' `` Why , Miss Claire , how could you !