two o'clock
But things were desperate . At last I started up , determined to see this man . '' ` He can but refuse me , ' I murmured to myself . '' ` It is past two o'clock , ' said I abruptly , as I met him standing at his counter , ` and I am still five hundred dollars short . Can you lend me that sum for a few days ? ' `` I expected him to say ` no . ' What was my surprise then to hear him reply -- '' ` I can , and with pleasure . '