a quarter before seven
Now , for this mess . '' Once more he began the attack on the day 's mail , which Abbott had already reduced to its lowest dimensions . Enoch worked with a power of concentration and a quick decisiveness that were ably seconded by Charley Abbott . It was a quarter before seven when Enoch picked up the last letter . He read it through rapidly , then laid it down slowly , and stared out of the window for a long moment . Abbott gave his chief 's face a quick glance , then softly shoved under his hand the pile of letters that were waiting signature . The letter that Enoch had just read was dated at the Grand Canyon .