nine o'clock in
the evening
Oh , _ what _ a blessed thing to relate at prayer-meetin ' to-night ! '' There was , indeed , a rattling of dry bones at the prayer-meeting that night , for it was the first time in the history of the church that the conversion of a steamboat captain had been reported . On returning home from the meeting , additional proof awaited the happy old saint . The captain was in his room -- in his room at nine o'clock in the evening ! She had known the captain for years , but he had never before got in so early . There could be no doubt about it , though -- there he was , softly whistling . `` I 'd rather hear him whistlin ' Windham or Boylston , '' thought Mrs. Simmons ; `` that tune do n't fit any hymn _ I _ know .