nearly five o'clock
before
This was horrible -- something like a living tomb . And to think he should be here now , day after day and day after day , until -- until what ? Until the Governor pardoned him or his time was up , or his fortune eaten away -- or -- So he cogitated while the hours slipped by . It was nearly five o'clock before Steger was able to return , and then only for a little while . He had been arranging for Cowperwood 's appearance on the following Thursday , Friday , and Monday in his several court proceedings . When he was gone , however , and the night fell and Cowperwood had to trim his little , shabby oil-lamp and to drink the strong tea and eat the rough , poor bread made of bran and white flour , which was shoved to him through the small aperture in the door by the trencher trusty , who was accompanied by the overseer to see that it was done properly , he really felt very badly . And after that the center wooden door of his cell was presently closed and locked by a trusty who slammed it rudely and said no word .