half past nine
I shall try to express that to Alan . '' The ladies finished their tea , and the butler came and took the cups away . Miss Lynde remained silent in her chair at her end of the library-table , and by-and-by Bessie got a book and began to read . When her aunt woke up it was half past nine . `` Was that Alan coming in ? '' she asked . `` I do n't think he 's been out , '' said the girl .