nine o'clock
They heard her thumping overhead . And presently he followed her example . The Pension sitting-room emptied . Unless there was something special on hand -- a dance , a romp , a game , or some neighbours who dropped in for talk and music -- it was rarely occupied after nine o'clock . Daddy had already slipped home -- he had this mysterious way of disappearing when no one saw him go . At this moment , doubtless , a wumbled book absorbed him over at the carpenter 's . Old Miss Waghorn sat in a corner nodding over her novel , and the Pension cat , Borelle , was curled up in her sloping , inadequate lap .