Twelve o'clock
To-night , disturbed as was his state , he was rather relieved to find company , and now that notabilities were gathered , he laid aside his troubles for the nonce , and joined in right heartily . It was not long before the imbibing began to tell . Stories began to crop up -- those ever-enduring , droll stories which form the major portion of the conversation among American men under such circumstances . Twelve o'clock arrived , the hour for closing , and with it the company took leave . Hurstwood shook hands with them most cordially . He was very roseate physically . He had arrived at that state where his mind , though clear , was , nevertheless , warm in its fancies .