A few minutes before nine o'clock
John suggested to Elizabeth that she had better go over to help Liza Ann , since she was alone , saying that he would take her over when he went . Hugh was to go with the machine . Jake would drive the extra team over , and the other two men would plow corn at home . A few minutes before nine o'clock John announced that he was ready . He had come in to carry Jack to the buggy for her . John had gone away with the impressions of Elizabeth 's illness still upon him , and looked out for her with the same care he had accorded her when an invalid . `` How long ? ''