nine o'clock
Yes , the table was laid for her evidently -- but there were giant carnations , not roses , in the silver vase to-night . How quickly the waiters seemed to bring things ! And what a frightful lot there was to eat ! And dawdle as he would , by nine o'clock he had almost finished . Perhaps it would be as well to send for a newspaper again . Anything to delay his having to rise and go out . An anxious , uncomfortable gnawing sense of expectancy dominated him .