seven in the
morning
The Gaffer liked Long Ede , who was a religious man . Indeed he had a growing suspicion that Long Ede , in spite of some amiable laxities of belief , was numbered among the Elect : or might be , if interceded for . The Gaffer began to intercede for him silently ; but experience had taught him that such `` wrestlings , '' to be effective , must be noisy , and he dropped off to sleep with a sense of failure ... The Snipe stretched himself , yawned , and awoke . It was seven in the morning : time to prepare a cup of tea . He tossed an armful of logs on the fire , and the noise awoke the Gaffer , who at once inquired for Long Ede . He had not returned . `` Go you up to the roof .