nine o'clock
Jim Bolivar started back slowly , but once beyond Junius ' sight gave Columbine the rein and was soon within a quarter of a mile of Columbia Heights School . Meanwhile , in that usually well-ordered establishment some startling events were taking place . When Nelly left her father she stopped on the terrace to talk a few minutes with the girls . It was then after nine o'clock but during these long , sultry evenings Mrs. Vincent allowed the girls to remain upon the terrace until ten . Examinations were over , there was no further academic work to be done and most of the preparations for commencement were completed . Indeed , most of the little girls had already left , and several of the older ones also . A general exodus takes place from Washington early in May and the schools close early .