nine o'clock
`` Dat wo n't do among niggers , '' he said . `` Niggers never kin play de upper hand in love , like white people . Dey has to do it by love itseff : by kindness , marster . '' Before nine o'clock Milburn and his negro left the old store by the town bridge , and passing by the river lane called Front Street , into Church Street , walked back of the hotel , avoiding its triflers , and reached the church in a few minutes unobserved . The long windows shed some light , however , but as it was Saturday night , this was attributed , by the few who noticed it , to preparations for the next Sabbath morning . Before setting out , Samson Hat , observing his employer to shake a trifle , asked him if a dram of whiskey would not be proper . `` No , boy ; this is a wedding without wine .