nine o'clock
Not one boy knew when he would be promoted to be a clerk ; not one of the men knew whether his employer was satisfied with him or not . Nothing was directly forbidden , and so the clerks never knew what was allowed , and what was not . They were not forbidden to marry , but they did not marry for fear of displeasing their employer and losing their place . They were allowed to have friends and pay visits , but the gates were shut at nine o'clock , and every morning the old man scanned them all suspiciously , and tried to detect any smell of vodka about them : `` Now then , breathe , '' he would say . Every clerk was obliged to go to early service , and to stand in church in such a position that the old man could see them all . The fasts were strictly observed . On great occasions , such as the birthday of their employer or of any member of his family , the clerks had to subscribe and present a cake from Fley 's , or an album .