six in the morning
It was not until one of the nurses needed clean sheets that the mystery was explained . On the floor of the linen closet , stretched on his back with his carpet sack under his head and his empty sleeve across his chest , lay Pop ! From that time on the old mountaineer became a daily problem to Ward B . It is true , he agreed in time to go home at night with the orderly ; but by six in the morning he was sitting on the hospital steps , impatiently awaiting admission . The linen closet was still regarded by him as his private apartment , to which he repaired at such times as he could not stay in Sally 's room , and refreshed himself with the luncheon he brought with him each day . During the first week , when the girl 's life hung in the balance , he was granted privileges which he afterward refused to relinquish . The hospital confines , after the freedom of the hills , chafed him sorely .