ten o'clock
exclaimed Andrew . `` Three -- four -- five -- six -- seven -- eight -- nine -- TEN ! '' And , as he uttered the last word , he started back the way he had come , running at full speed . It was ten o'clock -- the hour he was required to be at home , under penalty of having the door closed against him . How troubled he felt ! How strongly his heart beat ! He had not intended to disregard his father 's command in this instance .