five o'clock
Does the Lord get it ? What a thing to ask , to be sure ! Why , there are other spinners close by , waiting for rovings , or leaving off for `` baggin , '' and a bit of talk and a bad word or two are a deal more fun , and come easier than praying . Half-past five o'clock at last -- knocking-off time . Then you begin to think of amusing yourselves . There 's loafing about the streets , which never comes amiss , and there 's smoking and the public for you bigger ones , and there 's betting on Manchester races , and there 's a bout of swearing every now and then to keep up your spirits , and there are other thoughts , and perhaps actions , for some of you , of which the less said in any decent Christian gathering the better ! And so bedtime comes round again ; still not a moment to think of God in -- of the Judgment which has come a day closer -- of your sins which have grown a day heavier -- of your soul which has sunk a day further from heaven , a day nearer to hell ?