about eleven o'clock
The more he thought about it the more improbable it appeared that the amount would be less than a quid , and he made up his mind that whatever he got he would take good care that none of the other men knew anything about it . HE was the one who had had all the worry of the job , and he was the only one entitled to anything there was to be had . Besides , even if he got a quid , by the time you divided that up amongst a dozen -- or even amongst two or three -- it would not be worth having . At about eleven o'clock Mr Sweater arrived and began to walk over the house , followed by Crass , who carried a pot of paint and a small brush and made believe to be ` touching up ' and finishing off parts of the work . As Sweater went from one room to another Crass repeatedly placed himself in the way in the hope of being spoken to , but Sweater took no notice of him whatever . Once or twice Crass 's heart began to beat quickly as he furtively watched the great man and saw him thrust his thumb and finger into his waistcoat pocket , but on each occasion Sweater withdrew his hand with nothing in it . After a while , observing that the gentleman was about to depart without having spoken , Crass determined to break the ice himself .