two o'clock
`` But I thought you were going to Syracuse , '' Max rejoined . `` I was , '' Mrs. Duryea said as she started to leave ; `` but I ai n't now . '' * * * * * The news of Max Kirschner 's return spread through Cyprus like a brush fire , and twenty minutes after Mrs. Duryea had left Sam Green 's store Max was holding a levee behind the old counter . By two o'clock he had greeted over fifty old friends and at least twenty of them had made purchases in amounts varying from five to thirty dollars . `` As sure as you 're standing there , Mr. Kirschner , '' Sam declared , `` I sold more goods this morning as in the last two months . '' Max grinned delightedly . His face was flushed and he looked at least ten years younger as he patted Sam on the shoulder .