one in
the morning
If you 'll just step into the parlour she will be down in a few minutes . '' Katie ushered the visitor in with the cheerful friendliness of a true Devonshire girl . Martini was a special favourite of hers . He spoke English , like a foreigner , of course , but still quite respectably ; and he never sat discussing politics at the top of his voice till one in the morning , when the mistress was tired , as some visitors had a way of doing . Moreover , he had come to Devonshire to help the mistress in her trouble , when her baby was dead and her husband dying there ; and ever since that time the big , awkward , silent man had been to Katie as much `` one of the family '' as was the lazy black cat which now ensconced itself upon his knee . Pasht , for his part , regarded Martini as a useful piece of household furniture . This visitor never trod upon his tail , or puffed tobacco smoke into his eyes , or in any way obtruded upon his consciousness an aggressive biped personality .