eleven o'clock
She sat about with her aunt till toward ten o'clock . Then her father returned from his last call , and soon thereafter they all went to their rooms . Katherine remained upstairs till she thought her father and aunt were settled , then slipped down to the parlour , set the front door ajar , and sat waiting in the darkness . She heard the Court House clock with judicial slowness count off eleven o'clock -- then after a long , long space , count off twelve . A few minutes later she heard Blake 's car return , and after a time she heard the city clock strike one . It was close upon two when soft steps sounded upon the porch and the front door opened . She silently shook hands with her two vague visitors .