nine o’clock
replies the old gentleman , `` you do n't understand us . My friend , inform him of his fate . -- I ca n't . '' ` The Gifted mustered up his voice , after many efforts , and informed Tom that his nativity had been carefully cast , and he would expire at exactly thirty-five minutes , twenty-seven seconds , and five-sixths of a second past nine o'clock , a.m. , on that day two months . ` Gentlemen , I leave you to judge what were Tom 's feelings at this announcement , on the eve of matrimony and endless riches . `` I think , '' he says in a trembling voice , `` there must be a mistake in the working of that sum . Will you do me the favour to cast it up again ? ''