nine o'clock in the morning
The thought of this touched him tenderly . `` I wish I 'd knocked the dub over the first crack , '' he said . `` What a fool I was not to get away . '' Gerhardt was in despair ; he did not know any one to whom he could appeal between the hours of two and nine o'clock in the morning . He went back to talk with his wife , and then to his post of duty . What was to be done ? He could think of only one friend who was able , or possibly willing to do anything .