nine o'clock
Abner did try that , and more subsequently and sweet smiles and honeyed words therewith , the upshot of all which was the tacit conclusion that evening of a treaty of alliance , the tacitly understood conditions being that Abner should stand by the widow and see she was not put upon , in return for which the widow would see that he was not left thirsty , and if this understanding was sealed with a kiss snatched by one of the contracting parties as the other leaned too far over the bar with the fourth tumbler of rum and sugar , why it was all the more likely to be faithfully observed . That the widow was a fine woman Abner had previously observed , but any natural feeling which this observation might have excited had been kept in check by the consciousness of a long unsettled score . The woman was merged in the landlady , the sex in the creditor . Seeing that there is no more ecstatic experience known to the soul than the melting of awe into a tenderer sentiment , it will not be wondered at that Abner lingered over his twofold inebriation till at nine o'clock the widow said that she must really shut up the tavern . His surprise was great on passing the store to see it still lit up , and a crowd of men inside , while from the apartments occupied by the Edwards family came the tinkling of Desire 's piano . Going in , he found the store filled with drunken men , and the back room crowded with drinkers , whom young Jonathan Edwards was serving with liquor , while the Squire was walking about with a worn and anxious face , seeing that there was no stealing of his goods . As he saw Abner he said , making a pitiable attempt to affect a little dignity : `` I 've been treating the men to a little liquor , but it 's rather late , and I should like to get them out .