nine o'clock
Loring chewed his cigar reflectively , wishing his companion would open the way to free speech on the subject presumably nearest his heart . He had a word of comfort , negative comfort , to offer , but it might not be said until Kent should give him leave by taking the initiative . Kent broke silence at last , but the prompting was nothing more pertinent than the chalking-up of the delayed train 's time . `` An hour and twenty minutes : that means any time after nine o'clock . I 'm honestly sorry for you , Grantham -- sorry for any one that has to stay in this charnel-house of a town ten minutes after he 's through . What will you do with yourself ? '' Loring got up , looked at his watch , and made a suggestion , hoping that Kent would fall in with it .