eight o'clock
`` We ai n't going to , though , are we , Phil ? '' said Harry , laughing . `` Old Sam would be sure to fetch us out again if we did ; would n't you , Sam ? '' Old Sam grinned , and shook his head , and just then eight o'clock struck by the village church , which was about a mile off , so Sam wiped his scythe , and , shouldering it , walked off to his breakfast , just as a cheery cry of -- `` Now , boys , '' came from out of the verandah , where Mr and Mrs Inglis were standing , watching the lads upon the lawn . The pretty breakfast-room looked so bright and cheerful ; there was such an odorous bunch of dew-wet roses in a vase ; such sweet scents , too , came through the open window , and such country farm-house bounty spread upon the breakfast-table , that Fred told his cousins after the meal that he had never enjoyed anything before half so well in his life . `` Now , boys , what are you going to do to-day ? '' said Mr Inglis .