nine o'clock
He had a great deal to say , however , and he was eager to say it . Prince Shan , as he listened , smoked a long cigarette in a yellow tube . He wore a ring in which was set an uncut green stone on the fourth finger of his left hand . Although the hour was barely nine o'clock , he was shaved and dressed as though for a visit of ceremony . He listened to Li Wen gravely and critically . `` I am sorry about the little one , '' he said , looking through the cloud of tobacco smoke up towards the ceiling . `` Nita has been very useful .