eight o'clock
Patty 's face appeared promptly behind her screen of mosquito netting in the second story , but before she could exchange a word with her sister , Deacon Baxter opened the blinds of his bedroom window and put his head out . `` You can try sleepin ' outdoors , or in the barn to-night , '' he called . `` I did n't say anything to you at supper-time because I wanted to see where you was intendin ' to prowl this evenin ' . '' `` I have n't been ` prowling ' anywhere , father , '' answered Waitstill ; `` I 've been out in the garden cooling off ; it 's only eight o'clock . '' `` Well , you can cool off some more , '' he shouted , his temper now fully aroused ; `` or go back where you was this afternoon and see if they 'll take you in there ! I know all about your deceitful tricks ! I come home to grind the scythes and found the house and barn empty Cephas said you 'd driven up Saco Hill and I took his horse and followed you and saw where you went Long 's you could n't have a feller callin ' on you here to home , you thought you 'd call on him , did yer , you bold-faced hussy ? ''