nine
o'clock
He determined to leave the house , and thereby show that he was not to be trifled with . Availing himself of a pause in the dissertations on national politics , Maltboy pulled out his watch and consulted it . `` Why ! '' said he ; `` nine o'clock ! And I was to be in Fourteenth street by half past eight . Only intended to drop in just to see how you were . You really must excuse me , Mr. Whedell . ''