three o'clock in the morning
`` I 'm glad you gave me that word when you did , Sergeant , '' murmured Private Hunter . `` It steadied me . If it had n't been for that I guess I 'd have been a goner by this time . '' It was after three o'clock in the morning when Sergeant Overton felt that he finally had a moment for free breathing . `` Sergeant , '' said the lieutenant , `` your watch tour is long past . Lie down and get some sleep . '' `` You 're sure that I can be spared , sir ? ''