nine o'clock
Then again Toby knew more or less concerning the fighting abilities of the teams in the neighboring towns , Marshall and Harmony in particular . His love for sport had taken Toby to every game within thirty miles he could hear of in contemplation ; for if Chester seemed bound to sleep , and decline to enter the lists , a fellow who yearned to indulge in such things must go abroad to satisfy his longings . So it came about that he was able to give Jack many valuable tips connected with the elevens with whom Chester was apt to come in contact , should they succeed in whipping a team into anything like fair condition . `` Now , after all you 've told me about our boys , '' Jack was saying along after nine o'clock , when he was thinking of starting home , feeling tired after such a strenuous day , `` I begin to believe we can get up a squad of football players here capable of putting up a strong game . One thing in our favor is the fact that we have an old athlete like Coach Joe Hooker to show us how to work out greenhorns . '' `` That 's as true as you live , '' snapped Toby , his face glowing with eagerness , for one of the ambitions of his life seemed in prospect of being fulfilled . `` I 've never really played football , though of course I can kick , and run , and dodge pretty fairly .