nine in the morning
`` Thank ` y , suh , thank ` y , Mars ' Colonel , an ' Miss Laura ! An ' de Lawd is gwine bless you , suh , you an ' my sweet young lady , fuh bein ' good to po ' folks w ` at ca n't do nuthin ' to he ' p deyse ` ves out er trouble , '' said Catharine backing out with her apron to her eyes . * * * * * On leaving Miss Laura , the colonel went round to the office of Squire Reddick , the justice of the peace , to inquire into the matter of Bud Johnson . The justice was out of town , his clerk said , but would be in his office at nine in the morning , at which time the colonel could speak to him about Johnson 's fine . The next morning was bright and clear , and cool enough to be bracing . The colonel , alive with pleasant thoughts , rose early and after a cold bath , and a leisurely breakfast , walked over to the mill site , where the men were already at work . Having looked the work over and given certain directions , he glanced at his watch , and finding it near nine , set out for the justice 's office in time to reach it by the appointed hour .