nine o'clock
She was no longer to take her place in any of the classes ; she was to be a parlor boarder , and go in and out pretty much as she pleased ; but she was to be in the house again , and they were to see her bright face , and hear her gay laugh , and doubtless she would once more be every one 's confidante and friend . In due course Fluff arrived . It was late when she made her appearance , for she had missed the train by which Frances had intended her to travel . But late as the hour was -- past nine o'clock -- Fluff found time to pay a visit to the school-room , where the elder girls were finishing preparations for to-morrow , to rush through the dormitories , and kiss each expectant little one . `` It 's just delicious ! '' whispered Sibyl Lake , the youngest scholar in the school . `` We have you for the last fortnight before we break up .