nine o'clock
He kept a sharp watch upon the road for other female friends of his mother 's , who , he was resolved , should not enter . `` Them women will only get her all stirred up again . She 's got to get used to it , and they 'll just hinder her , '' he said , quite aloud to himself , having in some strange fashion discovered the truth that the human mind must adjust itself to its true balance after the upheaval of sorrow . After the beans were planted it was only nine o'clock . Jerome went soberly down the garden-slope , stepping carefully between the planted ridges , then into the house , with a noiseless lift of the latch and glide over the threshold ; for Elmira signalled him from the window to be still . His mother sat in her high-backed rocker , fast asleep , her sharp eyes closed , her thin mouth gaping , an expression of vacuous peace over her whole face , and all her wiry little body relaxed . Jerome motioned to Elmira , and the two tiptoed out across the little front entry to the parlor .