midnight
`` Wo n't I astonish him ? '' he thought , looking up ; and he laughed so pleasantly that Tim , who was sweeping the rubbish into a dust-pan , suspended operations , and expressed his surprise in a somewhat dubious ejaculation : `` I vum ! '' When Mr. Flint came in , he saw the same tall form bending over the accustomed desk that had met his eyes every morning for the last ten years ; but he did not see the heart that was leaping with new life . And when , in his usual snarly way , he gave Mortimer orders to make up certain invoices , which would have employed the clerk till midnight , he opened a brief conversation which ended in his utter amazement . `` You will render Bowen & Cleet their account current , and make up the pork sale ; it has been standing open long enough . And , '' added Mr. Flint , `` fill up bills of lading for the D. D. coffee . '' `` I do n't think I will , '' was the quiet reply .