nine o'clock
The shyest young girl among his patients felt drawn to unburden her sorrows to him as to a father ; the humblest sufferer remembered gratefully the reassuring gentleness of his voice and manner . But Millard made no reflections this morning ; he rang the bell sharply . `` The doctor has n't come down yet , '' said the servant . `` He will not see patients before nine o'clock . '' `` At what time does he come down ? '' `` At a quarter to eight . '' `` It 's half-past seven now , '' said Millard .