nine minutes after
twelve
When Sweetest Susan raised up in bed to look around she saw Drusilla sitting on her pallet rubbing her eyes , but Billy-Billy Blackfoot was sitting by the fireplace washing his face as quietly as if nothing had happened . At first it seemed to Sweetest Susan that it had all been a dream , but presently she heard a small voice that came down the chimney : `` Mr. Thimblefinger ! Mr. Thimblefinger ! It is nine minutes after twelve . '' There was a pause , and then the small voice sounded farther away , like an echo , `` Nine minutes and two seconds after twelve ! '' The next morning Sweetest Susan was awake early . She wanted very much to turn over and go to sleep again , for her eyes were heavy and her body was tired .