Half after four
_ Sir ! _ '' said the astonished clerk . `` Oh , I beg your pardon , '' said our hero , who now perceived by his countenance that his observation on the peculiar nature of the chains of habit was utterly unintelligible to him ; `` pray , sir , can you tell me what o'clock it is ? '' `` Half after four -- I am -- sir , '' said the clerk , producing his watch , with the air of a man who thought a watch a matter of some importance . `` Hum ! He ca n't be a gentleman ; he has no watch ! '' argued he with himself ; and he looked at Forester 's rough apparel with astonishment .