nearly
five o'clock
`` My dear child -- very affectionate of you , no doubt , but why this sudden rush of devotion in the middle of the night ? '' `` It is n't ! '' exclaimed Eric in a voice of awful emphasis . `` It 's nearly five o'clock ! '' `` And it 's your birthday , '' said Marjorie , beginning to kiss him again . `` Yes , '' continued Eric , `` it 's your birthday , father . _ Our _ day , you know . ''