nine o'clock
I will not be defeated in this thing . The Lord has devised this temptation as a test of my soul and I will grope my way out of darkness into the light of righteousness . '' One night in January when it was bitter cold and snow lay deep on the streets of Winesburg Curtis Hartman paid his last visit to the room in the bell tower of the church . It was past nine o'clock when he left his own house and he set out so hurriedly that he forgot to put on his overshoes . In Main Street no one was abroad but Hop Higgins the night watchman and in the whole town no one was awake but the watchman and young George Willard , who sat in the office of the Winesburg Eagle trying to write a story . Along the street to the church went the minister , plowing through the drifts and thinking that this time he would utterly give way to sin . `` I want to look at the woman and to think of kissing her shoulders and I am going to let myself think what I choose , '' he declared bitterly and tears came into his eyes .