about nine o'clock
The Bend o ' the Brae , you will gather , was a fine post for observation . It had one drawback , true : if Gourlay turned to the right in his gig he disappeared in a moment , and you could never be sure where he was off to . But even that afforded matter for pleasing speculation which often lasted half an hour . It was about nine o'clock when Gourlay and Gilmour quarrelled in the yard , and that was the hour when the bodies forgathered for their morning dram . `` Good-moarning , Mr. Wylie ! '' said the Provost . When the Provost wished you good-morning , with a heavy civic eye , you felt sure it was going to be good .