ten
o'clock
`` My wife pulled me out o ' bed . She has got Shanks to agree to sell me his grocery , part cash and part on tick , and she wants me to watch and see what sort o ' early-morning trade he 's got . She knows I do n't know as much about that line as this , but she thinks I kin learn , and maybe keep better company . I reckon it will be a deal betwixt now and ten o'clock -- that is , unless you make up your mind to sell out . '' Dick Wrinkle was looking into the speaking eyes of his old friend across the table . He knew well enough that the gambler 's remark was merely a poker bluff , and yet it stirred certain natural fears within him . `` You ca n't root me out of a good thing with a little wad like that , Parson , '' he said , rising and going behind the counter and briskly wiping off its surface more from habit than necessity .