eight A.M.
They came and went , seeing things at their worst as well as at their best , but mostly at their worst . Like husbands , too , they developed a sort of philosophy as to the early morning , and would only make occasional remarks , such as : `` Cyclone struck you this morning , or anything ? '' Doctor Smalley , being a bachelor , was entirely blind to the early morning deficiencies of his wards . Besides , he was young and had had a cold shower and two eggs and various other things , and he saw the world at eight A.M. as a good place . He would get into his little car , whistling , and driving through the market square he would sometimes stop and buy a bag of apples for the children 's ward , or a bunch of fall flowers . Thus armed , it was impossible for the most austere of head nurses to hate him . `` We 're not straightened up yet , doctor , '' they would say .