nine o'clock
What was the matter ? She was determined to know . It happened that she and Alice went up to bed together . Nora had been closeted with her father in the little schoolroom on the ground floor , since nine o'clock , and when Connie proposed to look in and wish them good night , Alice said uncomfortably -- `` Better not . They 're -- they 're very busy . '' Connie ruminated . At the top of the stairs , she turned -- `` Look here -- do come in to me , and have a talk ! ''