about nine o'clock
`` I ca n't take it , father , '' he said . `` You have a hard enough time , and I ought to pay you for the experience I 'm getting here instead of being paid . '' `` Young man , '' spoke Mr. Stirling with affected sternness , but a twinkling in his eye , `` you take your half-pay , make tracks , enjoy yourself , and do n't worry about a trifle of a dollar or two . If you happen to drop around this way about nine o'clock , I 'll be glad of your company home . '' He slipped the money into Bart 's pocket and playfully pushed him through the doorway . Bart 's heart was pretty full . He was alive with tenderness and love for this loyal , patient parent who had not been over kindly handled by the world in a money way .