twelve o'clock precisely
The ease with which Dan had raised the money on his notes had invested that gentleman with some of the dignity and attributes of a capitalist ; the hired buggy and the obsequious Quigg indicated this . His new position was strengthened by the liberal way in which he had portioned out his possessions to the workingman . It was further sustained by the hope that he might perhaps repeat his generosities in the near future . At twelve o'clock precisely Mr. Schwartz , a round , bullet-headed German , entered the room , turned his revolving-chair , and began to cut the six envelopes heaped up before him on his desk , reading the prices aloud as he opened them in succession , the clerk recording . The first four were from parties in outside villages . Then came McGaw 's : -- `` Forty-nine cents for coal , etc. '' So far he was lowest . Quigg twisted his hat nervously , and McGaw 's coarse face grew red and white by turns .