nine o'clock
`` He 's only in the store from nine in the morning till three in the afternoon , '' replied Wilkins . `` You will see him shortly after we get back there . '' When their meal was over , arm in arm they took their way back to the store . It was n't nine o'clock yet , so they did n't walk very briskly , but looked about them , and made their comments to each other on the appearance of the buildings , the streets , etc. , etc. , and Arthur drew some comparisons between them and those in New-York . They reached the store almost at the same time that a pony-chaise , driven by a very respectable-looking negro man , drew up at the door . A tall , spare gentleman , in a suit of black , stepped out of it , and after reaching back for his walking-stick , entered the building . He had , apparently , seen about fifty winters ; he was active enough to be fifty , but he was wrinkled and skinny enough to be sixty .