four
o'clock
These apothecaries make quite enough already . '' Buvat would have liked to stay with Clarice , for he saw that she had not long to live , but he never would have thought of absenting himself for a day from business unless he were dying himself . He arrived there , then , as usual , but so sad and melancholy that the king did not gain much by his presence . They remarked with astonishment that that day Buvat did not wait till four o'clock had struck to take off the false blue sleeves which he wore to protect his coat ; but that at the first stroke of the clock he got up , took his hat , and went out . The supernumerary , who had already asked for his place , watched him as he went , then , when he had closed the door , `` Well ! '' said he , loud enough to be heard by the chief , `` there is one who takes it easy . '' Buvat 's presentiments were confirmed .