nearly five o'clock
`` Jim , '' said his master , `` you 're a prince of a nigger , but you talk too much ; ask me for something to-day , and I reckon you 'll get it ; but go now , and tell Chloe -LRB- the cook -RRB- to get us some dinner . '' The negro left , and , excusing myself , I soon followed suit . I went to my room , laid down on the lounge , and soon fell asleep . It was nearly five o'clock when a slight noise in the apartment awoke me , and , looking up , I saw the Colonel quietly seated by the fire , smoking a cigar . His feet were elevated above his head , and he appeared absorbed in no very pleasant reflections . `` How is the sick boy , Colonel ? '' I asked .