nine o'clock
John looked troubled at this behavior . Jenny said , `` It is some lass in the matter ; naething else could mak a sensible lad like Davie act sae child-like and silly . '' And Jennie was right . Towards nine o'clock David came to the parlor and sat down beside his uncle . He said he had been `` greatly annoyed . '' `` Annoyances are as certain as the multiplication table , '' John remarked quietly , `` and ye ought to expect them -- all the mair after a long run o ' prosperity . '' `` But no man likes to be refused by the girl he loves . ''