four o'clock
The work was light , and there were pauses ; moreover , the snow had ceased , and the surroundings -- the ships and barges and what not -- were picturesque enough ; the scent of the oranges was pleasant . And his companions , these poor wrecks of humanity who had drifted into this curious , quiet little pool , were in the main good-humoured , though most of them seemed too depressed to speak much . Of course they instantly called him ` Scottie . ' Scottie got through his short day 's work with satisfaction ; and when at four o'clock the great bell began to toll , and when his wages , two shillings and a penny , were paid him , and when he set out for the gate , he was much contented , and was considering that , if he did his work diligently and respectfully and in silence , it was not at all unlikely that the foreman would take him on as a regular hand , at four-and-twenty shillings a week . He was thus thinking , and he had got almost to the gate , when something ahead of him occurred that made him shrink back with a look of dismay in his face . He saw that each man as he passed through the portal held up his arms while one of the gatekeepers passed his hands over his clothes . They were being searched .