about nine o'clock
`` He spent a week at the Mississippi , waiting for you . And , fearing you might get carried by , or injured in leaving the steamer , -- for you know little ceremony is used towards passengers or their goods , -- he visited each boat as it arrived , and had the porter at the hotel call him up at every boat through the night , inquiring of the passengers if they had seen a lady of your description with three young children ; and hearing , since he returned , that one resembling you had gone to the Landing higher up on the river , he went there yesterday , hoping to meet you , and bring you back with him . He 'll probably get here late this evening ; and wo n't we give him a surprise ? '' It was about nine o'clock when the missionary returned , alone , anxious , and dejected . `` You do n't look as if you found your lost wife and babies , '' said his host , sympathizingly . `` No , and I do n't know what to make of it . I inquired thoroughly .