half past nine
`` So be down to Wharton Bixler 's by stage time to-morrow , Hiram , an ' be ready to take th ' stage to Brown 's Corner . I 'll go with ye that far , an ' ye c 'n deed me th ' prop ` ty before a notary , so 's I wo n't be obliged to foreclose . Then I 'll come back an ' pay yer bill at Bixler 's , an ' ye 'll have one hundred dollars to take ye down to Frisco . Will ye be at th ' store at half past nine ? '' A wait , then a short nod . Uncle Sebastian half turned , paused , cleared his throat , and for the first time lost his high-handed control of the situation . `` Hiram , '' he said in a lower tone , `` I reckon I 'm a fool , but I hope ye ai n't holdin ' anything agin ' me .