nine o'clock
She did not ask the question , but her lips grew white and stiff at the faintest suggestion of it . Several times she went to the door , meaning to go out , and up the street to look for her daughter , but each time something withheld her . Instead , with that determination that distinguished her , she busied herself with trifling duties . It was quite nine o'clock when she saw Captain Phippeny coming up the street . She stood still and watched him approach . His gait was more rolling than ever , as he came slowly towards her , and he glanced furtively ahead at her house , and then dropped his eyes and pretended not to have seen her . She grew impatient to have him reach her , but she only pressed her lips together and stood the more rigidly still .