nearly ten o'clock
If Ben does n't turn out a philanthropist of the deepest dye yet , you 'll have me to thank for it . I see more and more every day that I was providentially born wicked , so as to keep this besottedly righteous family 's head above water . '' She feigned an angry impatience with the condition of things ; but when her father went out , she joined her mother in earnest conjectures as to what Ben had on his mind . Halleck wandered about till nearly ten o'clock , and then he went to the little house on Clover Street . The servant-girl answered his ring , and when he asked for Mrs. Hubbard , she said that Mr. Hubbard wished to see him , and please would he step upstairs . He found Bartley seated at the window , with a wet towel round his head , and his face pale with headache . `` Well , old man , '' he said , with an assumption of comradery that was nauseous to Halleck , `` you 've done the handsome thing by me .