nine
o'clock before
demanded Roger . `` Did I wink ? '' questioned Phil , solemnly , and then Dave began to laugh and almost choked on a piece of cake in his mouth . After the refreshments came more games and some singing , and it was nine o'clock before the lawn party came to an end . The girls and boys from the town went home mostly in pairs , but Ben remained behind , for he knew Dave and Phil had something to tell . All the lads congregated in the summerhouse and Laura and Jessie went with them . `` Wanted to spoil the ice-cream and chocolate layer-cakes ! ''