eight o'clock
And while Gregor gushed out these words , hardly knowing what he was saying , he made his way over to the chest of drawers - this was easily done , probably because of the practise he had already had in bed - where he now tried to get himself upright . He really did want to open the door , really did want to let them see him and to speak with the chief clerk ; the others were being so insistent , and he was curious to learn what they would say when they caught sight of him . If they were shocked then it would no longer be Gregor 's responsibility and he could rest . If , however , they took everything calmly he would still have no reason to be upset , and if he hurried he really could be at the station for eight o'clock . The first few times he tried to climb up on the smooth chest of drawers he just slid down again , but he finally gave himself one last swing and stood there upright ; the lower part of his body was in serious pain but he no longer gave any attention to it . Now he let himself fall against the back of a nearby chair and held tightly to the edges of it with his little legs . By now he had also calmed down , and kept quiet so that he could listen to what the chief clerk was saying .