nine o’clock
His only unmarried daughter -LRB- he had long since been left a widower -RRB- was in the room , in attendance on her father . She was a melancholy , middle-aged woman , without visible attractions of any sort -- one of those persons who appear to accept the obligation of living under protest , as a burden which they would never have consented to bear if they had only been consulted first . We three had a dreary little interview in a parlor of bare walls ; and then I was permitted to go upstairs , and unpack my portmanteau in my own room . `` Supper will be at nine o'clock , sir , '' said Miss Meadowcroft . She pronounced those words as if `` supper '' was a form of domestic offense , habitually committed by the men , and endured by the women . I followed the groom up to my room , not over-well pleased with my first experience of the farm . No Naomi and no romance , thus far !