nine o'clock
It was then that they had learned , to their surprise , that the former owned a beautiful motor boat , anchored farther up the Thames . What was their great delight when Mrs. Applegate voiced her hope that they had made no special plans for the morrow , as she had arranged a little party and was counting on them to make it complete . Of course , they had assured her that no plans could be so important as to stand in the way of so tempting an invitation ; so it had been settled to the satisfaction of every one . It was just nine o'clock when they climbed into the automobile and Mr. Payton started to give the chauffeur his directions . He was to drive through Hyde Park , entering it through the beautiful gate at Hyde Park Corner and ending with the magnificent Marble Arch . From there they would drive straight to Henley , where they were to meet the Applegates . `` It 's good we started early ; now we can see lots before we meet the other people , '' said Jessie , contentedly .