nearly seven o'clock
said his two sisters , both in a breath as it were . `` I ca n't , wo n't , and sha 'n' t tell you , girls , '' cried Tom , laughing , `` because that would spoil the fun when Uncle comes . '' So all , even Veevee , who would not get off Tom 's knees for a minute , had to be as patient as they could . But the time passed so quickly , listening to all this hearty young sailor had to tell of his voyage to the far north , that before anyone was aware it was nearly seven o'clock . And now down jumps Veevee and runs towards the door , barking aloud as if he were a very big dog . `` They 're coming ! They 're coming !