eight o'clock
`` I canna attend till ' t jist i ' the noo ; but I s ' set ye aff wi ' ' t the morn 's nicht . '' So here was an end to the troubles of the townsfolks from the _ loons _ , and without any increase of the constabulary force ; for Curly being withdrawn , there was no one else of sufficiently inventive energy to take the lead , and the loons ceased to be dangerous to the peace of the community . Curly soon had both his head and his hands quite occupied with boat-building . Every afternoon , now , the moment dinner was over , Alec set off for the workshop , and did not return till eight o'clock , or sometimes later . Mrs Forbes did not at all relish this change in his habits ; but she had the good sense not to interfere . One day he persuaded her to go with him , and see how the boat was getting on . This enticed her into some sympathy with his new pursuit .