nine
o'clock
By and by Mr. Charteris came to discuss subjects so interesting to her as a farmer , that it was past nine o'clock before she looked round for her children . Healthy as Lucilla was , her frame was so slight and unsubstantial , and her spirits so excitable , that over-fatigue or irregularity always told upon her strength and temper ; for which reason Honor had issued a decree that she should go to bed at nine , and spend two hours of every morning in quiet employment , as a counterbalance to the excitement of the visit . Looking about to give the summons , Honor found that Owen had disappeared . Unnoticed , and wearied by the agricultural dialogue , he had hailed nine o'clock as the moment of release , and crept off with unobtrusive obedience , which Honor doubly prized when she beheld his sister full of eagerness , among cousins and gentlemen , at the racing game . Strongly impelled to end it at once , Honor waited , however , till the little white horseman had reached the goal , and just as challenges to a fresh race were beginning , she came forward with her needful summons . ` Oh , Miss Charlecote , how cruel ! ' was the universal cry .