nine o'clock
`` There we have it , '' said the wise fat man ; `` I know the Heppacher of the year eighty , and such a young fellow can not stand it ; it has got into his head . Let him alone , with his heavy head upon his hand ; I 'll bet that before the clock strikes eight he will have slept his wine out , and be as fresh as a fish in water . '' The pedlar shook his head and said nothing ; but the hostess praised the acknowledged sagacity of the fat man , and thought his supposition the most probable . It was now nine o'clock ; the daily visitors of the drinking room had all left it , and the landlady was also on the point of retiring to rest , as the stranger awoke out of his reverie . He started up , made a few hasty steps about the room , and at last stood before the hostess . His look was clouded and disturbed , and the short time which had elapsed between mid-day and the present moment had so far altered the features of his otherwise kind , open countenance , as to impart to them an expression of deep melancholy . The kind-hearted woman was grieved at his appearance ; and calling to mind the sagacious supposition which the fat man had pronounced as to the cause of his agitation , she proposed cooking a comfortable supper and preparing a bed for him ; but her kind offices were altogether unavailing , as he appeared bent upon a rougher pastime for the night .