eleven o’clock
`` Then perhaps you would like to undertake the mission , Mr. Owen , '' said the Deputation briskly ; for the reflection stung him , unintentional as it was . Owen started . `` That is a new idea , '' he said . `` And now perhaps you wish to go to bed ; it is past eleven o'clock . '' Thomas Owen went to his room , but not to bed . Taking a Bible from the table , he consulted reference after reference . `` The promise is clear , '' he said aloud presently , as he shut the book ; `` clear and often repeated .