eight o'clock
`` You always want me and my hammer or my saw ; but I 'll be busy on my own account ; you 'll have to paddle your own canoe ! '' `` You 'll be paid for what you do for us , '' said Julia slyly , giving Kathleen a poke , at which they both fell into laughter only possible to the very young . Then suddenly there came a knock at the front door ; a stamping of feet on the circular steps , and a noise of shaking off snow . `` Go to the door , Gilbert ; who can that be on a night like this , -- although it is only eight o'clock after all ! Why , it 's Mr. Thurston ! '' Ralph Thurston came in blushing and smiling , glad to be welcomed , fearful of intruding , afraid of showing how much he liked to be there . `` Good-evening , all ! ''