about ten o'clock
`` And I to the Mudir of Fayûm . '' After a while the despatches were sent . There was indeed no cause for uneasiness ; nevertheless , in waiting for an answer the engineers passed a bad night , and early morning found them on their feet . The answer from the Mudir came about ten o'clock and was as follows : `` Verified at station . Children left yesterday for Gharak el-Sultani . '' It can easily be understood what amazement and anger possessed the parents at this unexpected intelligence . For some time they gazed at each other , as if they did not understand the words of the despatch ; after which Pan Tarkowski , who was an impulsive person , struck the table with his hand and said : `` That was Stas ' whim , but I will cure him of such whims . ''