about nine
o'clock
The boy 's hot blood rose to the challenge . His foot was on the ladder , and many men with less chances than he had risen to the top . At this moment , small Manchester tradesman that he was , he had the constant presentiment of a wide career . That night he let himself into his own door somewhere about nine o'clock . What had Louie been doing with herself all day ? She was to have her first lesson from Dora Lomax ; but she must have been dull since , unless Dora had befriended her . To his astonishment , as he shut the door he heard voices in the kitchen -- Louie and _ John _ .