nine o'clock
Save me , -- hold me ! Do not desert me ! You are my only hope ! '' It was past nine o'clock when Gerald Merryweather finally took his departure . The children had been discovered , -- in bed , and apparently asleep . Three neatly folded piles of clothes showed at least that they had gone to bed in a proper and reasonable manner . Miss Sophronia Montfort had finally been quieted , by soothing words and promises , followed up by hot malted milk and checkerberry cordial , the latter grimly administered by Frances , and so strong that it made the poor lady sneeze .