nine o'clock
`` If not -- '' and the decisive closing of a door on his departing heel said the rest . The clocks struck ten . It was not worth while going back to the drawing-room . All Farlingford was abed in those days by nine o'clock . Barebone took his coat and prepared to follow Turner . Miriam was already lighting her bedroom candle . She bade the two men good night and went slowly upstairs .