one o'clock
Gray-black overhead stretched the running rails for the monster electric travelling crane ; some men crawling out on them looked like monkeys . Here and there might be seen the small insignificant `` Lewis Key '' -- a thing that may be held on a woman 's palm -- sustaining a granite weight of many tons . There were three hundred men at work in this shed , and the ringing _ chip-chip-chipping _ monotone from the hundreds of hammers and chisels , filled the great space with industry 's wordless song that has its perfect harmony for him who listens with open ears and expansive mind . Jim McCann was at work near the shed doors which had been opened several times since one o'clock to admit the flat cars with the granite . He was alternately blowing on his benumbed fingers and cursing the doors and the draught that was chilling him to the marrow . The granite dust was swirling about his legs and rising into his nostrils . It lacked a half-hour to four .