four o'clock
Meanwhile Aunt Tish had spread a cloth on the table and set forth some cold corn dodger , a pitcher of foaming butter-milk , and a plate of cold corned beef . The milk was in a battered pewter pitcher , but the dish that held the corn bread was of heavy silver , with intricate chasings about the rim . Mr. Opp , with his head propped on his hand , ate wearily . He had been up since four o'clock that morning , and to-morrow he must be up at daybreak if he was to keep his engagements to supply the dealers with the greatest line of shoes ever put upon the market . Between now and then he must decide many things : Kippy must be planned for , the house gone over , and arrangements made for the future . Being behind the scenes , as it were , and having no spectator to impress , he allowed himself to sink into an attitude of extreme dejection . And Mr. Opp , shorn of the dignity of his heavily padded coat , and his imposing collar and tie , and with even his pompadour limp upon his forehead , failed entirely to give a good imitation of himself .