eleven o'clock
I kind of thought I 'd run into the club a few minutes and see some of the other fellers . But it ai n't important -- not very . '' The `` club '' was one of the rooms over Mr. Higgins 's store and post office . It had been recently fitted up with chairs and tables from its members ' garrets and , when the depot and store were closed , was a favorite gathering place of those reckless ones who cared to `` set up late '' -- that is , until eleven o'clock . Most of the men in town belonged , but many , Captain Berry among them , visited the room but seldom . `` Checkers , '' said the depot master , referring to the `` club 's '' favorite game , `` is too deliberately excitin ' for me . To watch Beriah Higgins and Ezra Weeks fightin ' out a game of checkers is like gettin ' your feet froze in January and waitin ' for spring to come and thaw 'em out .