seven o'clock
`` Whatever can be the matter ? '' I asked myself as I hammered away at my form . `` Has anything serious really happened ? '' Towards seven o'clock I left the printing-office and the work to the tender mercies of Short , who was just writhing out of a peaceful sleep of some hours ' duration on the `` bed '' of the machine , and made my way towards Giannoli 's room , which though quite close was by no means easy of access . Turning to my right , half-way down the court-yard , I passed into Mrs. Wattles 's house , at the summit of which my friend was located ; and here at once my progress was arrested by that lady herself , only half sober and in a mood evidently requiring sympathy . `` Oh , my dear , '' she exclaimed , `` are you going up to see that pore young man ? I do n't know what 's gone wrong with ` im of late , but for all the world ' e looks as if ' e were sickening for something .