nine o'clock
`` Out t ' th ' barn . Heard a noise an ' thought I 'd better look into it , '' was Silas 's reply . * * * * * As the sun rose the new life was ushered in . Doctor Morgan did not start home till after nine o'clock . `` Who is to have charge of your wife , Mr. Hunter ? '' he asked as he paused in the door and looked back at his patient anxiously . Seven miles was a long distance -- and she might need him suddenly .