one
o'clock in the morning
By half-past eleven Mr. Stevens had dictated about two hundred and fifty letters , sold several million dollars ' worth of property -LRB- he 's a real-estate broker -RRB- , and was all ready to go out with me to buy more socks , neckties , handkerchiefs , etc. , having decided that I did n't have enough . We had `` lunch '' at Sherry 's -- another swell restaurant -- and took a trip up the Hudson in the afternoon , getting back at half-past ten -- `` Just in time , '' said Mr. Stevens , `` to look in at a roof-garden before we go to bed . '' So we `` looked , '' and it sure was worth a passing glance , and then some . It 's one o'clock in the morning now , and I sail at nine , so I 'm writing at this hour in desperation , or you wo n't get any letter at all . Much love to everybody . I picture you all peacefully sleeping -- except Thomas , of course -- with no such word as `` hurry '' in your minds . AUSTIN * * * * * S.S. Amsterdam September 4 DEAR SALLY : It does n't seem possible that I 'm going to land to-morrow !