nine o'clock
This little wood-pigeon should have my best attention , however simple and plain might be her plumage . Moreover , I was more than curious to see what particular kind of a fledgling could be born to these two parent birds -- one so hard and unsympathetic and the other so kind and simple . Jim , I remembered , had always spoken enthusiastically of Ruby , but then Jim always spilled over the edges whenever he spoke of the things he loved , whether they were dogs , trees , flowers , or brilliant young maidens . At nine o'clock that night my ear caught the sound of wheels ; then came Jim 's `` Whoa ! Bess , '' and the mother threw wide the door and caught her daughter in her arms . `` Oh , mother ! '' the girl cried , `` was n't it good I could come ? ''