ten o'clock
Who cares a copper ! '' The clock in the church tower struck ten as Hay sprang up the steps and rang the bell . `` I hope he has n't gone to bed , '' the Secretary said . `` At ten o'clock ? '' the President laughed , `` a great general about to march on the most important campaign of his life -- hardly . '' The straight orderly saluted and ushered them into the elegant reception room -- the room so often graced by the Prince de Joinville and the Comte de Paris , of the General 's staff . The orderly sniffed the air in a superior butler style : `` The General has not come in yet , gentlemen . ''