nine o'clock
Many times she went over again her talk with Howard , and she surprised herself by wondering what he had thought and felt since her departure . And ever and anon she was startled out of chimerical dreams by the clamour of bells-the trolley cars on their ceaseless round passing below . At last came the slumber of exhaustion . It was nine o'clock when she awoke and faced the distasteful task she had set herself for the day . In her predicament she descended to the office , where the face of one of the clerks attracted her , and she waited until he was unoccupied . `` I should like you to tell me -- the name of some reputable lawyer , '' she said . `` Certainly , Mrs. Spence , '' he replied , and Honora was startled at the sound of her name .