eleven o'clock
Letters of condolence and notes of congratulation jostled each other as they slid down the brass throat ; widowed mothers ' tender epistles to wandering sons ; the letters of fond wives to absent husbands ; erring daughters ' last appeals to outraged parents ; offers of marriage ; invitations to funerals ; hope and despair ; joy and sorrow ; misfortune and success -- had glided in one almost unbroken stream down that ever-distended and insatiable brass throat . Charlie gave one more look at the opening , then sauntered homeward , building by the way houses of fabulous dimensions , with the income he anticipated from the situation if he succeeded in procuring it . Throughout the next day he was in a state of feverish anxiety and expectation , and Mrs. Ellis two or three times inquired the meaning of the mysterious whisperings and glances that were exchanged between him and Esther . The day wore away , and yet no answer -- the next came and passed , still no communication ; and Charlie had given up in despair , when he was agreeably surprised by the following : -- `` Messrs. Twining , Western , and Twining will be much obliged to Charles Ellis , if he will call at their office , 567 , Water-street , to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock , as they would like to communicate further with him respecting a situation in their establishment . '' Charlie flew up stairs to Esther 's room , and rushing in precipitately , exclaimed , `` Oh ! Ess -- I 've got it , I 've got it -- see here , '' he shouted , waving the note over his head ; `` Hurrah ! Hurrah !