about nine o'clock
Abner was quietly happy ; the tender , thoughtful care that had been bestowed upon him since his mishap had been such as , in his mind at least , repaid him for all the pain . `` I hope you will have it , '' he said , earnestly , `` for , even if I ca n't be with you all the time , I wo n't feel as if I was keepin ' you from it . '' Then he put his hand in a loving way on Toby 's cheek , and the `` boss of the circus '' felt fully repaid for having waited for his pleasure . At the pasture all the partners were gathered , for Toby had promised to tell them when he would begin operations ; and as he drove the ponies up to the bars , he shouted : `` Abner an ' me will be up here about nine o'clock to-morrow morning , an ' we 'll bring Mr. Stubbs 's brother with us . '' There was a mighty shout , and Ben Cushing stood on his head , when this announcement was made , and then Toby and Abner drove home as quickly as their ponies could scamper . When Toby told Uncle Daniel that night of their intention to go on with the work of the long-delayed circus , and that Abner was to ride up to the pasture where he could see everything that was going on , the old gentleman shook his head doubtingly , as if he feared the consequences to the invalid , who appeared very much exhausted even by the short ride he had taken . Abner , interpreting Uncle Daniel 's shake of the head the same way Toby did , pleaded hard to be allowed to go , insisting that he would be no more tired sitting in the little carriage than he would in a chair at home ; and Aunt Olive joined in the boys ' entreaty , promising to arrange the pillows in such a manner that Abner could lie down or sit up , as best suited him .