about nine o'clock
What was to be the end of it ? Was she to be forced by circumstances to keep the girl always there , let the girl 's conduct be what it might ? Nevertheless she acknowledged that Ruby must be let in when she came back . Then , about nine o'clock , John Crumb came ; and the latter part of the evening was more melancholy even than the first . It was impossible to conceal the truth from John Crumb . Mrs. Hurtle saw the poor man and told the story in Mrs. Pipkin 's presence . `` She 's headstrong , Mr. Crumb , '' said Mrs. Hurtle .