8
a.m.
Mr. Rock commands the happy faculty of divorcing himself wholly from business during those hours which he has dedicated to sociability . He declines to discuss monetary matters outside his room at the bank . I recall how , upon several occasions when I have approached him upon the delicate subject of negotiating a trifling temporary loan , he has dismissed the matter by reminding me that he had certain days which he set apart for business of this character , and that at other times he devoted himself exclusively to the consideration of other things . I recall , too , that after persistent inquiry -LRB- having , possibly , selfish ends in view -RRB- , I learned from Cashier Bolton , who is Mr. Rock 's marble-hearted alter ego , that Mr. Rock 's hours for the consideration of all applications for personal accommodations were from 7.55 to 8 a.m. , every other Thursday . This may strike the average person as a unique singularity , but I find it easy to understand how a man so numerously interested in affairs as Mr. Rock is should find it imperative to regulate his business and social conduct with the most methodical and most exacting system . You can depend upon it that I lost no time in apprising Alice and Adah and our neighbors of Mr. Rock 's munificent proposition , and I hardly need assure you that by all Mr. Rock 's generosity was warmly applauded . The incident gave rise to a new phase in the sequence of events , for immediately a discussion arose as to the color which we ought to paint our new house , and this discussion continued with increasing vigor for several days .