nine o'clock
`` P ` r ` aps ye can git th ' likin 's iv a man who says me Misther Robert 's wife ai n't his wife , but ` twill be healthier f ' r ye if ye gits th ' likin 's iv Misther Robert himself . Now , ye 'll go ter him to-morrer mornin ' -- d'ye mind -- an ' ye 'll tell him all ye 've tol ' me , an ' there wo n't be no price asked , an ' ye 'll keep on findin ' out all ye can f ' r Misther Robert , an ' ye 'll play fair , an ' ye 'll take phwat pay he chooses ter give ye , an ' if ye thry anny more thricks like th ' dirty wan I 've just catched ye wid I 'll be back ter see ye , James Riley , an ' I 'll break ivery damn bone in ye'er body , James Riley . Now , good-night ter ye an ' ye'er prosperities . I 'll tell Misther Robert ye 'll be up ter see him at nine o'clock to-morrer mornin ' . '' The old man drew himself up majestically , cast one more withering glance on the completely humiliated James , and took his departure . The next morning nine had not ceased striking on the clock standing on the mantelpiece in Mr. Gorham 's study when James Riley was formally and seriously ushered by his father into these , the sacred precincts , where none entered except by its owner 's invitation ; but it was a far different James from the man who had called upon Mr. Gorham some weeks earlier . The younger Riley 's self-assurance was missing , his jaunty air was replaced by a bearing almost timid in its gentleness , his voice had become halty ; and when Mr. Gorham first spoke to him he started suddenly , turning his face toward his questioner , and showing apprehension in every feature .