nine o'clock
If you want any supper after your journey there are plenty of people to wait upon you . ' And with that the Colonel turned upon his heel and went into the house , leaving his nephew to follow at his leisure . _ ` Comme il est assommant , le patron , ' _ muttered Brian , strolling after his kinsman . Brian Walford was not ordinarily an early riser , but he was up betimes on the morning after Bessie 's birthday ; breakfasted with the family , and strolled across dewy fields to the Homestead a little after nine o'clock . But although this was a late hour in Miss Wendover 's household , his young wife was not prepared to receive him . It was Aunt Betsy who came to him , after he had waited for nearly a quarter of an hour , prowling restlessly about the drawing-room , looking at the books , and china , and water-colours . ` I have come for Ida , ' he said abruptly , when he had shaken hands with his aunt .