Nine o'clock
`` No , no , '' Ralph said , with a faint smile ; `` a long way from that , yet . My sleep has done me a world of good . What o'clock is it ? '' `` Nine o'clock , '' his hostess said . `` I could not come before , for I have had several parties going past , and the house was searched once . I kept on wondering whether you wanted me , until I nearly worked myself into a fever . '' `` Thank you , '' Ralph said .