nine o'clock
And now they were thrown into great consternation by the fact that a slave-trader had been to look at Chloe , because Mr. Fitzgerald wanted money to spend in Europe , and had sent orders to have some of his negroes sold . Mrs. Delano told him she did n't see how she could help him , but she would think about it ; and Flora , with a sideway inclination of the head toward her , gave Tom an expressive glance , which he understood as a promise to persuade her . He urged the matter no further , but asked what time it was . Being told it was near nine o'clock , he said he must hasten to Chloe , for it was not allowable for negroes to be in the street after that hour . He had scarcely closed the door , before Mrs. Delano said , `` If Chloe is sold , I must buy her . '' `` I thought you would say so , '' rejoined Flora . A discussion then took place as to ways and means , and a strictly confidential letter was written to a lawyer from the North , with whom Mrs. Delano was acquainted , requesting him to buy the woman and her children for her , if they were to be sold .