nine o'clock
For mother was a special creature -LRB- as I suppose we all are -RRB- , being the warmest of the warm , when fired at the proper corner ; and yet , if taken at the wrong point , you would say she was incombustible . Hence it came to pass that I had no one even to speak to , about Lorna and my grievances ; for Captain Stickles was now gone southward ; and John Fry , of course , was too low for it , although a married man , and well under his wife 's management . But finding myself unable at last to bear this any longer , upon the first day when all the wheat was cut , and the stooks set up in every field , yet none quite fit for carrying , I saddled good Kickums at five in the morning , and without a word to mother -LRB- for a little anxiety might do her good -RRB- off I set for Molland parish , to have the counsel and the comfort of my darling Annie . The horse took me over the ground so fast -LRB- there being few better to go when he liked -RRB- , that by nine o'clock Annie was in my arms , and blushing to the colour of Winnie 's cheeks , with sudden delight and young happiness . `` You precious little soul ! '' I cried : `` how does Tom behave to you ? '' `` Hush ! ''