nine o'clock
We 'll go Saturday night . I 'll have the money before that , as sure as beans is beans . '' Friday evening he did not come home to supper , which Saxon regretted , for Maggie Donahue had returned a pan of potatoes and two quarts of flour -LRB- borrowed the week before -RRB- , and it was a hearty meal that awaited him . Saxon kept the stove going till nine o'clock , when , despite her reluctance , she went to bed . Her preference would have been to wait up , but she did not dare , knowing full well what the effect would be on him did he come home in liquor . The clock had just struck one , when she heard the click of the gate . Slowly , heavily , ominously , she heard him come up the steps and fumble with his key at the door .