eight o'clock
This was Poppy Shemalitz , the frock expert , the man milliner of the firm , who was required to make bricks out of straw , or as he frequently said to the friends of his `` bosom , '' `` make fifteen dollars look like fifty . '' Self-preservation and a sense of humor encouraged him through the abusive days of a dog 's life . Sitting in the last row of the orchestra , wearing the expression of interest and astonishment of a man who had fallen suddenly into another world , was Martin . He had been there since eight o'clock . For over six hours he had watched banality emerge from chaos and had listened to the blasphemy and insults of Jackrack . He would have continued to watch and listen until daylight peered upbraidingly through the chinks in the exit doors but for the sudden appearance of Susie Capper , dressed for the street . `` Hello , Tootles !