twelve o'clock in the morning
He made a list o ' things out for George to get for ` im , but there seemed to be such a lot for two pounds that Mr. Alfredi shook his ` ead over it ; and arter calling ` imself a soft - ` arted fool , and saying he 'd finish up in the workhouse , he made it three pounds and told George to look sharp . `` He 's a very good marketer , '' he ses , arter George ` ad gone ; `` he do n't mind wot trouble he takes . He 'll very likely haggle for hours to get sixpence knocked off the trousers or twopence off the shirt . '' It was twelve o'clock in the morning when George went , and at ha ' - past four Rupert turned nasty , and said ' e was afraid he was trying to get them for nothing . At five o'clock he said George was a fool , and at ha ' - past he said ' e was something I wo n't repeat . It was just eleven o'clock , and they ` ad shut up for the night , when the front door opened , and George stood there smiling at 'em and shaking his ` ead . `` Sush a lark , '' he ses , catching ` old of Mr. Alfredi 's arm to steady ` imself .