nine o'clock
Some of them were good , but none were new . Some were irresistibly funny , and did me good because they made me laugh , and I had n't laughed naturally for a period so long that it made me shudder to think of it , fearing lest I should forget how to be mirthful . Finally I grew tired of his persistence , and , with a very ill-concealed impatience , told him plainly that I could do nothing with his suggestions , thanking him , however , for the spirit of kindliness which had prompted him to offer them . He appeared somewhat hurt , but immediately desisted , and when nine o'clock came he rose up to go . As he walked to the door he seemed to be undergoing some mental struggle , to which , with a sudden resolve , he finally succumbed , for , after having picked up his hat and stick and donned his overcoat , he turned to me and said : `` Mr. Thurlow , I do n't want to offend you . On the contrary , it is my dearest wish to assist you . You have helped me , as I have told you .