Nine o'clock
But I ca n't imagine why you have chosen to take us three girls under your wing ; unless -- '' with sudden intuition , `` it 's for Uncle John 's sake . '' `` That was it , at first , '' replied Diana , rising to go ; `` but now that I 've seen you I 'm delighted to have you on your own account . Come early , dear ; we must be ready to receive our guests by nine . '' `` Nine o'clock ! '' reflected Patsy , when her visitor had gone ; `` why , I 'm often in bed by that time . '' John Merrick lived with the Doyles at their Willing Square apartments . There were but two of the Doyles -- Patricia and her father , Major Doyle , a tall , handsome , soldierly man with white moustache and hair .