nine o'clock
`` Hout , na , '' said Willie , `` he kens the gate as weel 's I do mysel -- there 's nae fear o ' him ; but I 'm thinkin , maybe , his father 's waur than he expeckit , and he 'll be bidin at the Langholm a ' nicht . '' `` Puir chiel ! I did hear tell that his father was waitin on ; but I hope he 's no that far gane yet . '' It was now near nine o'clock , and the good folks were beginning to be rather uneasy about John Graham , who had faithfully promised to return before eight , when they heard the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps , and presently the object of their solitude appeared , running at the top of his speed , and looking anxiously behind him , as if dreading pursuit , or flying from danger . He soon reached the cottage , and staggered to the door , where he leaned , apparently quite exhausted . His face was ghastly pale , large drops of perspiration stood on his brow , and his limbs trembled as if he were under the influence of ague . `` Mercy on us ! ''