nine o'clock
It was her purpose to tell her and to swear to her most solemnly , -- should she find her preparing herself to leave the house after six in the evening , -- that she should be kept out the whole night , having a purpose equally clear in her own mind that she would break her oath should she be unsuccessful in her effort to keep Ruby at home . But on the Tuesday , when Ruby went up to her room to deck herself , a bright idea as to a better precaution struck Mrs. Pipkin 's mind . Ruby had been careless , -- had left her lover 's scrap of a note in an old pocket when she went out with the children , and Mrs. Pipkin knew all about it . It was nine o'clock when Ruby went up-stairs , -- and then Mrs. Pipkin locked both the front door and the area gate . Mrs. Hurtle had come home on the previous day . `` You wo n't be wanting to go out to-night ; -- will you , Mrs. Hurtle ? '' said Mrs. Pipkin , knocking at her lodger 's door .