nine o'clock
The old lawyer shook his head , and fixed his eyes upon the lad with a slightly quizzical smile . `` You are black . '' he said , `` and you are not free . You can not travel without your papers ; you can not secure accommodations at an inn ; you could not vote , if you were of age ; you can not be out after nine o'clock without a permit . If a white man struck you , you could not return the blow , and you could not testify against him in a court of justice . You are black , my lad , and you are not free . Did you ever hear of the Dred Scott decision , delivered by the great , wise , and learned Judge Taney ? ''