five o'clock
He was going to break his back and wring his head off and do other heartless things which for some reason he never started in right then and there to accomplish . It was different when they were alone -- and they were alone a good deal . Stubby 's route was n't nearly so long after he had Hero to go with him . When winter came and five o'clock was dark and cold for starting out it was pretty good to have Hero trotting at his heels . And Hero always wanted to go ; it was never so rainy nor so cold that that yellow dog seemed to think he would rather stay home by the fire . Then Hero was always waiting for him when he came home from school . Stubby would sing out , `` Hello , cur ! ''