nearly nine o'clock
Going to the desk , he found the Bible which the bishop always kept there . As Tode lifted it the leaves fell apart at one of the bishop 's best-loved chapters , and there the boy laid his letter and closed the book . He hesitated a moment , and then kneeling down beside the desk , he laid his face on the cover of the Bible and whispered solemnly , `` I _ will _ keep straight -- I will . '' It was nearly nine o'clock when Tode returned to what had been his room ; what would be so no longer . He undressed slowly , and as he took off each garment he looked at it and touched it lingeringly before he laid it aside . `` I b ` lieve he 'd want me to keep these clothes , '' he thought , `` but I do n't know . Maybe he would n't when he finds out how I 've been cheatin ' him .