nine
o’clock
This was , then , the truth , the frightful truth that she had never wished to see . She stayed there until the noises in the street warned her that it was getting late , and she might be surprised . Then she returned to her mother . `` I am going out , '' she said ; `` I will return at half-past eight or nine o'clock . '' `` But your husband will not see you before going to the hospital . '' `` You will tell him that I have gone out . '' She returned at half-past nine .