half past
nine o'clock
His mother would manage to stand in the door , whenever she saw the gentleman coming , with Sammy by her side , and she would ask him if he was n't fond of children , and tell him what a good boy Sammy was at school , and how well he got on with his lessons ; and then Sammy must speak his last piece to Mr. Bond . But it would not do ; he stood it all very patiently , and when she had the grace to leave space enough for him to pass her , he would make his bow and walk gravely on , glad to reach the shelter of the pleasant attic . Mrs. Flin laid it up against him , though , and threw out many an innuendo concerning his frequent visits to the poor children , when gossiping with her friend of the white house , and so it reached his landlady , Mrs. Kinalden , who knew Mr. and Mrs. Airly very well . `` A strange how d'ye do it is , '' said she to Mr. Bond , one evening on his return from Nannie 's , `` that I must keep my doors open till half past nine o'clock , for you to be out on your untimely visits to a poor widder ! It is n't any sich doings Susan Kinalden 'll countenance , you 'd better believe ! '' Mr. Bond did not think her worth one moment 's excitability , so he calmly told her she could find another occupant for his room if she was dissatisfied with his conduct , and he would seek a home elsewhere . It was wonderful how changed she was when he went down to breakfast the next morning .