about nine o'clock
`` I seemed to have had the knack to-night of constantly annoying you . So I 'd best begone now , perhaps . '' `` I bear no malice , Leo , '' she said quietly . `` I thought I 'd come back at about nine o'clock , '' he continued . `` It is nearly eight now . '' She , thinking that he had his own journey in mind , remarked casually : `` You 'd best be here well before nine . The train leaves at nine-twenty , and father walks very slowly . ''