nearly nine o'clock
That 's a vicarious kind of devotion that ought to be permitted occasionally to a hard-working fellow like me . -- I 'm glad you 've come back to give us some tea , Belle . Do n't go upstairs ; let Susan carry up your bonnet and shawl . It 's nearly nine o'clock . Toddlekins wants her tea before she goes to bed . '' `` Lucy has had her tea in the nursery , '' said Mrs. Lister , as she took her seat before the cups and saucers . `` But she will have some more with papa , '' replied Martin , who had an amiable knack of spoiling his children .