nine o'clock
The usual hour for his return came and went . Another hour passed ; and another . A horrible idea that Mr. Chase had been robbed gave way to one more horrible still . He paced the room in dismay , until at nine o'clock his wife came down , and in a languid fashion began to set the supper-table . `` Alf 's very late , '' said Mr. Teak , thickly . `` Is he ? '' said his wife , dully .