nine o'clock
The river was clouded with mist ; the hills , which are the glory of the place , were obliterated from the landscape , and the road -- he had never seen such a road , all little pools and mud . However , there was no help for it . The journey must be made , and seeing a livery-stable sign across the road , lost no time in securing the conveyance he needed . At nine o'clock he started out . The rain drove so fiercely from the northwest , -- the very direction in which they were traveling , -- that enjoyment of the scenery was impossible . Nor could any pleasure be got out of conversation with the man who drove him . Rain , rain , that was all ; and the splash of mud over the wheels which turned all too slowly for his comfort .