eight o'clock
And off he went , as excited as a schoolboy at the beginning of an adventure . I began to think he was allowing his imaginations to pray him tricks -- purposely allowing himself to be deceived , as a child that is nearing the age of reason still delights in the old fairy tales and the Santa Claus myth , long after its mind has penetrated the deception . Still , in the end it proved we were very far -- very far indeed from being upon an idle quest . By eight o'clock I had obtained Doctor Castleton 's consent that Bainbridge and I might visit Peters , and remain as long as we should desire . `` I will run out myself , early in the morning , '' said Castleton , `` and do what I can to keep life in the old man . Do n't let Bainbridge get into the old fellow any of his newfangled , highfalutin remedies -- if you do , I will not answer for the consequences . I do n't say that Bainbridge will not in time -- in time , mark you -- be a dazzling therapeutist ; but not until experience has modified his views , and shown him that Rome was not built in a day , nor with a toothpick , either .