seven o'clock in the morning
They put the box on the bedside table , stuck out their tongues at the sleeping Scientist , and crept out again . Then they went home , the Phoenix to the ledge and David to bed , where he fell asleep instantly . The Wail was wildly successful . The Scientist released it from its box at seven o'clock in the morning . People living in the hotel thought the world had come to its end . The rest of the town wondered if it was a riot , or an earthquake , or both with three steam calliopes thrown in for good measure . David , who lived twelve blocks from the hotel , stirred in his sleep and dreamed he was riding a fire engine .