eleven o’clock
She folded the paper she had been reading from and put it in her lap , in default of a pocket . She went on impromptu : `` You need n't trouble about building the fort , Mr. Bushwick . I 've had the farmer and his men working at the castle since daybreak , and the ladies will find it all ready for them , when they 're ready to defend it , down in the meadow beyond the edge of the birch-lot . The battle wo n't begin till eleven o'clock . '' She rose , and the clamor rose again with her , and her guests crushed about her , demanding to be allowed at least to go and look at the castle immediately . One of the men 's voices asked , `` May I be one of the defenders , Mrs. Westangle ? I want to be on the winning side , sure . ''