about nine o'clock
Not once did he glance at the nooning sun . His patience was quiet and sure . When evening came he smoked placidly outside the office , listening to the conversation and laughter of the men , caressing one of the beagles , while the rest slumbered about his feet , watching dreamily the night shadows and the bats . At about nine o'clock he went to bed , and slept soundly . He was vaguely conscious of a great peace within him , a great stillness of the spirit , against which the metallic events of his craft clicked sharply in vivid relief . It was the peace and stillness of a river before it leaps . Little by little the condition changed .