five o'clock
`` Well , you 're sure to get 'em by then , '' Penrod promised . `` It ai n't winter yet , Herman . Come on and help saw these laths for the bars , Herman , and Sam and I 'll nail 'em on . It ai n't long till five o'clock , Herman , and then you 'll just feel fine ! '' Herman was not convinced ; but he found himself at a disadvantage in the argument . The question at issue seemed a vital one to him -- and yet his two opponents evidently considered it of minor importance . Obviously , they felt that the promise for five o'clock had settled the whole matter conclusively ; but to Herman this did not appear to be the fact .