nine o'clock
She accepted the suggestion and sat confronting him expectantly , her anger ebbing away imperceptibly in the pause until only the underlying dread remained . `` Who was the man that came in with you last night ? '' he asked with authority . `` You went out about half-past nine o'clock to Mrs. Parr 's , as I supposed , and returned at midnight , not alone . I might have thought that Mr. Parr had seen you home , but I looked from my window , and though I could n't hear what you said -- but never mind that . You will do me the justice to admit that I have never pried into your affairs or actions . Until recently such a question as I have now thought it my duty to ask would never have occurred to me . ''