nine o'clock
He had virtually said his say and parted from his son when he gave his consent to his going in the first place . To him war meant sacrifice , and the parting with sons , at no matter what cost . The dominant idea with him was ever the preservation of the Union . At nine o'clock as usual that morning he had entered the bank , and a few minutes later , when the troops formed on the square , he came out and took his appointed place on the platform , as one of the speakers , and offered a closing prayer for the confounding of the enemy after the manner of David of old -- then he descended and took his son 's hand , as he stood in the ranks , with his arm across the boy 's shoulder , looked a moment in his eyes ; then , without a word , he turned and reëntered the bank . It was winter . The snow was blowing past the windows in blinding drifts , and the road in front of the Ballards ' home was fast filling to the tops of the fences . A bright wood-fire was burning in the great cookstove , which had been brought into the living room for warmth and to economize steps , as all the work of the household devolved on Mary and little Betty , since Martha spent the week days at the Deans in the village in order to attend the high school .