about five o'clock
And never before had he noted how huge the boy 's body was in comparison with his own weazened frame . He groped stealthily behind him and found the door catch . The cool touch of the metal helped him a little . `` I -- I may be a trifle late -- jest a trifle , '' he hurried on , `` but I been hustlin ' to git here -- that is , ever sense about five o'clock , or thereabouts . There 's been something I been wantin ' to tell you . I -- I jest wanted to say that I hoped it wa 'n' t anything I might have said or -- or kinda hinted at , maybe , nights down to the Tavern , that 's druv you out . That 's a mighty mean , gossipy crowd down there , anyway , always kinda leadin ' a man along till he gits to oversteppin ' hisself a little . ''