nine o'clock
`` I am too much of an expense to you already , papa . '' `` You forget , '' said he , with mock gravity , `` that you give me your invaluable services as house-keeper , and that so far you have received no salary . '' There was a knock at the outer door . `` Is it nine o'clock already ? '' he said , in an altered tone . `` Whom do you expect , papa ? '' `` Gathorne Edwards . ''