half past nine
Then he took up a stirring piece of fiction and began to read : but the most exciting scenes depicted in it floated hazily across his mind . His Aunt Millicent tried to engage him in conversation , but he either could not or did not wish to talk . At nine o'clock he said good-night to his aunt , and retired to his room . At half past nine Colonel Butler returned home . His daughter went into the hall and greeted him and helped him off with his coat , but he scarcely spoke to her . When he came in under the brighter lights of the library , she saw that his face was haggard , his jaws set , and his eyes strangely bright . `` What is it , father ? ''