nearly
two in the morning
I 've laid drain-pipes on a farm -- for fun ! '' It was past one o'clock when we got out supper . And our appetites lost nothing by the prospect of hardships which we treated rather lightly , since we entirely failed to appreciate their seriousness . Jack 's visions of storming ramparts at the point of the bayonet merely added flavour to his amazing collation of cold beef , ham , brawn , cold fowl , and peaches and cream , with which he insisted on winding-up at nearly two in the morning . He would have shouted with laughter had you told him that in less than three weeks he would be dashing through the enemy 's lines with despatches on a red-hot motor-cycle . And Tommy -- poor old Tommy -- well , I fancy he would have been just as cheerful , dear old chap , had he known the fate that was in store . For to him was to fall the lot which , of all others , everyone -- rich and poor alike -- understands .