nine o'clock
Mrs. Taylor did not sleep any better than her son . Her troubles kept her awake , and not her worthless husband , who was so tipsy when he returned from the saloon , that he dropped asleep as soon as he lay down . The poor woman had done nothing to improve the situation , for she could not leave the town until after the examination . At nine o'clock Mr. Brooks came to the cottage with a warrant for her arrest , but he considerately begged her not to disturb herself about the matter . All he required of her was to appear at the office of Squire Norwood at ten o'clock , and no one need ever know she was in custody before that hour . Little Bobtail came on shore before the officer left the house , and reported himself ready , in his own words , to `` face the music . '' At the appointed hour there was a considerable collection of people in the office of Squire Norwood .