ten o’clock
It could not be that ; he was never tired . He left as soon as he could and went back to the shop . After telling the tale of the calamity which had befallen him he announced -- it was now supper-time -- that he was going to stay all night . Mother , father , and sister were delighted to have him -- `` It looked like old times again ; '' but George was not in much of a mood for talking , and at ten o'clock went upstairs ; his early departure being , of course , set down to the worry he had gone through . He turned into bed . Generally speaking he thought no more of sleep than he did of breathing ; it came as naturally as the air into his lungs ; but what was this new experience ? Half an hour , an hour , after he had laid down he was still awake , and worse than awake ; for his thoughts were of a different cast from his waking thoughts ; fearful forebodings ; a horror of great darkness .