nine o'clock
The child , but half satisfied , slowly went away , but lingered about the passages to watch the housekeeper . Night , however , came on , and he had not seen her going . All were now busy lighting up , and making the more immediate and active preparations for the reception of company , when he met her in the hall , and to his , `` Look here , I say , Miss Sarah , '' she hurried past him unheeding . The company at last assembled , and the hours had passed away until it was nine o'clock . Without , all was cold , bleak , and cheerless . Within , there was the perfection of comfort . Little William had been absent for some time , but no one missed him .