nine o'clock
`` It is three girls now waiting at the office for the night , and a messenger in your hall , Mr. Vandeford , sir , '' answered Mr. Meyers as he gathered up his annotated pages , put them into a new manila portfolio , and rose to take them to the A. D. T. boy asleep on the floor in the hall . `` We have n't rushed in a manuscript like this since ` Dear Geraldine , ' have we , Pops ? '' asked Mr. Vandeford , as he picked up the second act . `` It 's just nine o'clock , and those girls ought to get through by three A. M. Do n't let Steinberg charge up twelve hours on you . '' `` It will be at eight that they are still working , Mr. Vandeford , sir , and night type-writing means much money , '' Mr. Meyers answered , as he departed with his package . `` At that we 'd better get busy to feed it to 'em , '' Mr. Vandeford said , as he picked up and began to dig into the pages . For the three hours ensuing he and his henchman worked with never a hitch in their growls and scratches and muttered exchanges .