nine o'clock
Mark my words , it is the little depositor that endangers a bank . '' He looked nervous , and swallowed hastily while he talked , as if he had just rushed in from breakfast , with his last mouthful still unchewed . As I entered and faced the men sitting in different attitudes , but all wearing the same strained and helpless expression , a feeling of irritation swept over me , and I paused in the middle of the floor , with my hat and a folded newspaper in my hand . `` A quarter of a million in hard cash would tide us over , I believe , '' pursued Bingley , swallowing faster ; `` but the question is how in thunder are we to lay hands on it by nine o'clock to-morrow morning ? '' I drew out my watch , and with the simple , mechanical action , I was conscious of an immediate quickening of the blood , a clearing of the brain . A certain readiness for decision , a power of dealing with an emergency , of handling a crisis , a response of pulse and brain to the call for action , stood me service now as in every difficult instant of my career . They were picked business men and shrewd financiers before me , yet I was aware that I dominated them , all and each , by some quality of force , of aggressiveness , of inflated self-confidence .