six o’clock
thought Barbara uncomfortably . `` It would be distinctly unpleasant to be hauled off to jail , while Aunt Sallie and the girls remain stuck in the mud , not knowing my fate , and helpless to save me ! I may meet old Dobbin 's owner at any minute ! '' It was after six o'clock , and , because of the heavy storm , was almost dusk . Barbara had decided to go to the end of the lane and find the main road to New Haven , hoping to sooner discover help in that direction . Before long she came to a fork in the road . By riding close to the sign-post she found a hand pointing : `` Nine Miles to New Haven . ''