about nine o'clock
He could easily go a few inches out of his way to leave his Aunt Keziah at Denby 's , and take Ruth Thrale home to Strides . But he put up the closed brougham , and harnessed the grey mare in the dogcart , as she wanted a run . He knew that Gwen meant what she said , and would not come back . It was about nine o'clock when they reached the Cottage , and Tom waited for the answer to the Countess 's letter . Ruth came in , to be told that her mother had talked too much , and must lie quiet . But she _ had _ been talking -- that was something ! The comment was Ruth 's , and the reply to it was hopeful and consolatory .