nine o'clock
The one who failed to play out the wretched farce of customary life was Isabel . She kept her room , alleging illness , and did not appear to lend aid to the evening which the three spent in silent endurance of one another and their own thoughts . The very surroundings insisted on the image of Gerard ; a book he had been reading lay open on the table , the music he preferred was waiting on the piano rack . At nine o'clock , unable to bear more , Flavia rose , hurriedly pleading fatigue . Corrie also rose with her to retire , or to escape . `` Wait , '' his father bade , at his movement , laying down a newspaper . `` You will not be out with your automobile , to-morrow . ''