nine o'clock
John had , at last , crossed the room and seated himself beside his wife . He spoke to her in a low voice but her full-throated reply was audible everywhere in the room . `` No , I 'm not tired and I really do n't want any tea . I 've gone slack on purpose because that 's how I want to be till nine o'clock . I 've just eaten an enormous oyster stew with Rush . That 's what we waited for . '' John frowned .