four o'clock
of the story he had begun . Slowly he read over the pages , to the last one . Then , seizing his pen , he devoted himself to the next chapter , without dressing , without breakfasting . It was four o'clock when he ceased work . He realized all at once that he was feeling ill . The fact dawned upon him that he needed food , and donning his garments , he took his way listlessly to a restaurant and ordered something to eat . As he swallowed the morsels , he fell to wondering how much temptation _ he _ would be able to bear , with hunger as a background .