seven o'clock
Six o'clock , six-thirty , six-forty-five and even seven sped by and still there came no summons to join the soldier master . There had come instead , when Nixon urged that he be permitted to lead forth both his own troop horse and Deltchay , the brief , but significant reply : `` Shut yer gab , Nixon . There 's no horse goes till the captain says so ! '' At seven o'clock , at last , the post commander came forth from his doorway ; saw across the glaring level of the parade the form of Mr. Blakely impatiently pacing the veranda at the adjutant 's office , and , instead of going thither , as was his wont , Captain Cutler turned the other way and strode swiftly to the hospital , where Graham met him at the bedside of Trooper patient Patrick Mullins . `` How is he ? '' queried Cutler . `` Sleeping -- thank God -- and not to be wakened , '' was the Scotchman 's answer .