nine o'clock
He had a curious little sinking of the heart , for with his middle-class prejudices it seemed dreadful to go into a shop ; but he shrugged his shoulders , after all what did it matter ? and he made up his mind to have a shot at it . He had a queer feeling that by accepting every humiliation , by going out to meet it even , he was forcing the hand of fate . When he presented himself , feeling horribly shy , in the department at nine o'clock he found that many others were there before him . They were of all ages , from boys of sixteen to men of forty ; some were talking to one another in undertones , but most were silent ; and when he took up his place those around him gave him a look of hostility . He heard one man say : `` The only thing I look forward to is getting my refusal soon enough to give me time to look elsewhere . '' The man , standing next him , glanced at Philip and asked : `` Had any experience ? ''