ten o'clock
Mr. Howland stept in front of his wife , and , looking sternly in her face , added , `` Have n't I just said that there was no entrance for him , to-night ? '' `` But it 's early ! It 's only a few minutes after ten , '' eagerly replied the mother . `` It 's past ten o'clock , and that settles the matter , '' returned Mr. Howland . `` But where will he go ? '' asked the mother . `` To the Station House , if he can find no better place .