three in the morning
And down they sat cross-legged upon cushions and talked about Jacob , and Helen 's voice trembled , for they both seemed heroes to her , and the friendship between them so much more beautiful than women 's friendships . Anthony Pollett now asked her to dance , and as she danced she looked at them , over her shoulder , standing at the table , drinking together . The magnificent world -- the live , sane , vigorous world ... . These words refer to the stretch of wood pavement between Hammersmith and Holborn in January between two and three in the morning . That was the ground beneath Jacob 's feet . It was healthy and magnificent because one room , above a mews , somewhere near the river , contained fifty excited , talkative , friendly people . And then to stride over the pavement -LRB- there was scarcely a cab or policeman in sight -RRB- is of itself exhilarating .