six o'clock AM
Is it not jolly ? '' he whispered to me as we proceeded up the room along the centre space left vacant between the two rows of beds lining the walls on either side , `` why , it 's just the very thing we wanted ! '' Tom 's bed and mine were close to one of the windows in the front of the house , which fact delighted me very much , as I thought I should be able to see the sea as soon as I woke in the morning . My chum , however , threw a damper on this reflection by suggesting that , when the first gong sounded our _ reveille _ at six o'clock AM , we should have such sharp work before us to dress and get down to the refectory in the quarter of an hour allowed us for the operation , that unless I wished to lose my breakfast -- a dreadful contingency considering the then empty state of my body -- I should have precious little time for star - gazing ! Tom 's mention of `` shovelling on my clothes , '' as he delicately termed the act of dressing , immediately reminded me of my box , which I had quite forgotten all about ever since my leaving it behind me in the little room out of the hall on the termination of my first interview with Dr Hellyer . `` I wonder where it is ? '' I asked Tom .