ten o'clock
Thus the greater portion of that long remembered night was passed -- Mrs. Howland sitting at the window , vainly waiting and watching for her son , and Mr. Howland walking the floor of the room , his mind given up to troubled and rebuking thoughts . In his hardness and self-will he had justified himself up to this in his course of conduct pursued toward his children ; but he was in doubt now . A question as to whether he had been right or not had come into his mind , and disturbed him to the very centre . WHEN Mr. Howland threatened his son with exclusion from the house , if he were away at ten o'clock , Andrew 's feelings were in a state of reaction against his father , and he said to himself , in a rebellious spirit -- `` We 'll see if you will . '' But after growing cooler , he came into a better state of mind ; and , in view of consequences such as he knew would be visited on him , decided not to come in contact with his father in this particular -- at least not for the present . If turned from his own door at midnight , where was he to find shelter ? This question he could not answer to his own satisfaction .