nine o'clock
`` What 's the use of wearin ' out a feller 's eyes over such stuff ? '' he thought . It is not necessary to follow Sam 's movements through the evening . At nine o'clock he opened the front door , and went in , not exactly abashed , but uncertain how the deacon would receive him . Deacon Hopkins had his steel-bowed spectacles on , and was engaged in reading a good book . He looked up sternly as Sam entered . `` Samuel , where have you been ? ''