eight o'clock
The crowds of hungry workers grew bigger every minute . Every one was elbowing his way into neighboring restaurants , crowding the tables and buffets , all eating voraciously as they talked and laughed . Howard was rudely reminded by inward pangs that he , too , was famished . Not a thing had passed his lips since he had left home in Harlem at eight o'clock that morning and he had told Annie that he would be home for lunch . There was no use staying downtown any longer . For three weary hours he had trudged from office to office seeking employment , answering advertisements , asking for work of any kind , ready to do no matter what , but all to no purpose . Nobody wanted him at any price .