about ten o'clock
The head-clerk always unlocks the letter-box , and brings the letters into Mr. Jones when he arrives . ' Stella listened to this speech in silence . She did think of taking the good woman into her confidence ; but a dislike of talking about her private concerns prevented her , so she said nothing . Going to her room , she took off her hat and coat , and sat down to wait until the head-clerk should appear and she should hear him unlocking the letter-box , a noise she remembered hearing about ten o'clock every morning . The half-hour seemed very long , and she grew so nervous that she gave a great start when she heard a step , and presently two or three more , and then the sound of the letter-box being opened . She waited a moment , and then , summoning up her courage , she went up to the head-clerk , to whom , as it happened , she had never spoken , and asked him politely if she might have Mr. James Jones 's letters . The man , who had been in the employment of the firm for twenty-five years , stood , his hands full of letters , and stared at her .