about eight o'clock
Once or twice , on account of the late hour at which he was released from duty , he was unable to secure admittance , and had to pay fifty cents for a bed at a hotel on the European system . He had for some time been thinking seriously of hiring a room ; but the probable expense deterred him . At Mrs. Vivian 's he would have nothing to pay . In the evening he changed his uniform for the neat suit given him by Mr. Bowen , and about eight o'clock rang the bell of the house in Thirty-eighth street . He was at once ushered into the presence of Mrs. Vivian and her son . `` I am glad to see you , my young friend , '' said Mrs. Vivian , glancing with approval at the neat appearance of her young visitor . `` Fred , this is the young man who brought you home last night . ''