Half past nine
Her mother who sat in a corner weaving baskets , grew alarmed . With feminine intuition she realized Margalida 's suffering . Her husband , seeing the anxiety in her sad , resigned eyes , intervened opportunely . `` Half past nine ! '' There was a movement of surprise and protest from the youths . It was early yet ; it lacked many minutes of the hour ; the agreement should rule . But Pèp , with the stubbornness of the rustic , would not listen .