nine o'clock
He felt anger against her , against every one he knew , against life itself . Thrusting his hands deep into the pockets of his thin black overcoat , he plunged into that narrow glowing tunnel of the station booking-office , which led back to the crowded streets . But by the time he reached home his anger had evaporated ; he felt nothing but utter lassitude . It was nine o'clock , and the maids had cleared the dining table . In despair Noel had gone up to her room . He had no courage left , and sat down supperless at his little piano , letting his fingers find soft painful harmonies , so that Noel perhaps heard the faint far thrumming of that music through uneasy dreams . And there he stayed , till it became time for him to go forth to the Old Year 's Midnight Service .