twenty minutes past nine
`` Just the same , I am glad we did n't go with those poky Fussy Curls to _ their _ meeting . '' Ruth made no reply to this . The bell in the tower had tolled nine , and they knew that there were twenty minutes only in which to get ready for retiring . Those girls who had lights after twenty minutes past nine were likely to be questioned , and any who burned a lamp after half after nine would find a demerit against their names in the morning . The chums hurried , then , to get ready for sleep . `` Do n't you hope we 'll dream something very nice ? '' whispered Helen as she plunged into bed first .