three o'clock in the
morning
You see , we are right down among the newspaper offices , and there 's always somebody coming in for soda-water , or cigars , or something or other . The store is a bright , warm place for the night editors and reporters to meet together and talk and drink hot soda , and there 's always a knot of 'em around the stove about the time the papers begin to go to press . And they 're a lively set , I can tell you , sir . I 've heard some of the best stories I ever heard in my life told in our place after three o'clock in the morning . '' `` A strange life ! '' said Mr. Tolman . `` Do you know , I never thought that people amused themselves in that way -- and night after night , I suppose . ''