nine
o'clock
`` Great Scott ! We 'll be late . '' `` I hardly see how that can happen , '' replied Jack . `` It is n't quite nine o'clock yet . '' Nevertheless , the martial strains caused both boys to hurry through their breakfast . Then , full of eagerness , they all but ran down the short stretch of road to the yard . `` I wish we had a little better clothes , '' muttered Hal , regretfully , as they neared the gate .