eleven o'clock
Was it not weakness that he should be writing the first letter ? But Barbara was probably writing to him at this moment , writing or asking for his number ... . The night lift-man was bribed to post the letter , because Eric dared not leave the telephone . He sat by it trembling as though with fever , while eleven o'clock struck ... and midnight ... and one ... and three ... and five ... . In the morning he was called at his usual time -- to sink back on to the bed almost before he had risen from it . While he waited for his secretary , he telephoned to ask a colleague to shoulder double work for the day and began to think wearily what other engagements he must break . In an interlude of their over-night discussion Barbara had asked him to lunch with her ... .