twelve o'clock
Empty barrels , and samples of flour , and account-books smelling strong of leather , instead of velvet curtains and painted ceilings ; but better than a chair , sir -- better than a chair ! '' I was as obstinate as ever . With thanks , I insisted on the chair . Feverish , anxious , oppressed in my breathing -- with nerves unstrung , as a doctor would have put it -- I disturbed the order of the household towards twelve o'clock by interfering with old Toller in the act of locking up the house-door . `` Let me get a breath of fresh air , '' I said to him , `` or there will be no sleep for me to-night . '' He opened the door with a resignation to circumstances , so exemplary that it claimed some return . I promised to be back in a quarter of an hour .