about nine o'clock
`` It is a somewhat important question to decide at such short notice , '' Violet returned , coldly , and determined that she would not commit herself until she could consult Wallace . She was a little surprised that he should still talk of Canada , for she had imagined that the trip had been planned wholly on her account . She could not know that this was a pretense , intended to blind her still further . The next morning Mrs. Mencke went up to Violet 's room about nine o'clock and found her apparently engaged in reading a magazine . `` I am going out shopping , '' she remarked . `` I have a great deal to do ; do n't you want to come and help me ? '' Violet looked up in surprise .