ten o'clock
He determined to seek Primmie and ask for more particulars that very evening . But Primmie saved him the trouble of seeking her . Miss Phipps and her maid left him alone in the sitting room as soon as supper was over and neither came back . He could hear the murmur of voices in the kitchen , but , although he sat up until ten o'clock , neither Primmie nor her mistress joined him . So he reluctantly went up to his room , but had scarcely reached it when a knock sounded on the door . He opened it , lamp in hand . `` Why , Primmie ! ''