nine o'clock
`` The train must be late . '' The children sat in their arm-chair dumb and huddling together like animals when they are cold , while he walked about the room looking impatiently at his watch . It was quiet in the house . But just before nine o'clock some one rang at the bell . Pyotr went to open the door . Hearing a familiar voice , the children shrieked , burst into sobs , and ran into the hall . Panaurov was wearing a sumptuous coat of antelope skin , and his head and moustaches were white with hoar frost .