nine o'clock
Each was sewing a piece of thin waterproof cloth upon a pair of white woolen gloves ; so that the fingers , when outspread , had the appearance of the webbed foot of a frog . `` That ought to help us , '' Ralph said , when they finished . `` For a really long swim , I daresay they would be very fatiguing ; but it is cold , not fatigue , we have to fear , and speed is therefore everything . '' At nine o'clock , Ralph went to the office of the general in command . There were a number of other persons waiting for permits , and Ralph waited his turn to go in to the officer engaged in signing them . `` I am from Frankfort , as my papers show , '' he said , handing the officer his pass . `` I wish for a pass to go , with my horse and cart , to Bellevue .