Six o'clock
'' _ If you care for a six-months ' lecturing tour in America _ , '' wrote Grierson , '' _ I have an unrivalled offer . You would start in the New Year _ ... '' His agent 's letter was the first that Eric opened on the morning after Barbara promised to marry him . As he lay half-awake , waiting to be called , he realized that something had changed the foundations of his life ; he was at peace , well and strong , with a heart tuned for adventure and a new tireless energy . Six o'clock ... . Seven ... . Eight ... . He carried the telephone into the smoking-room , lest he should be tempted to disturb Barbara , and paced bare-foot up and down , wondering how to inaugurate the new life .