nine o'clock
I can not hope that it will be so always -- perhaps I ought not to wish it ; but I do rejoice in the firm conviction that such is the fact at present . '' `` No one can blame you for that , sir , '' Chester said , rising to take leave , `` but , ungenerous as it sounds , I can not help hoping that , one of these days , I may be able to shift your position to the second place , taking the first myself . It sounds dreadful selfish , but fathers have to give way to lovers and husbands if the human race is to continue . I hope to be here in the morning , captain , a little after nine o'clock , with a carriage , to take Miss Lu to the wharf where the boat will be lying . I promise to take the best of care of her , to do and say nothing of which her father would disapprove , and to bring her home safely , Providence permitting , before dark . '' `` I have no doubt you will , Chester , and I trust her -- one of my choice treasures -- to you with confidence in your purpose to be the faithful guardian of her safety , and perfectly trustworthy as regards the matter of which we have been speaking , '' were the captain 's parting words to his young visitor as he saw him out to the veranda . `` Thank you , sir ; I hope to prove faithful to the trust .