nine o'clock
`` And must I go to bed now ? '' she asked , half hoping for permission to stay up a little longer . `` Yes , daughter ; keep to rules . '' Elsie looked disappointed , and several little voices urged , `` Oh , do let her stay up another hour , or at least till nine o'clock . '' `` No ; I can not often allow a departure from rules , '' he said kindly , but firmly ; `` and to-morrow night Elsie will find it harder to go to bed in season than to-night . Bid your little friends good-night , my dear , and go at once . '' Elsie obeyed , readily and cheerfully .