ten o'clock
I at first declined , for my housekeeper was going to spend the evening with her sister at Eastwich , and stay there for the night , and I did not much like leaving the house empty . However , I agreed eventually , stipulating that I should be allowed to come home early , and I accordingly went . Hearn and Pitford were waiting in the boat by the steps -- for the yacht had been moved out to a buoy -- and we went on board and spent a very pleasant and lively evening . Pitford put me ashore at ten o'clock , and I walked straight home , and went to bed . Hearn would have come with me , but the others insisted on his remaining , saying that they had some matters of business to discuss . '' `` Which way did you walk home ? '' asked Thorndyke .