about six o'clock
The election delayed us so that we could n't couple on to No. 4 that afternoon , and consequently we had to lie that night at Ash Forks . I made the officers my excuse for keeping away from the Cullens , as I wished to avoid Madge . I did my best to be good company to the bluecoats , and had a first-class dinner for them on my car , but I was in a pretty glum mood , which even champagne could n't modify . Though all necessity of a guard ceased with the compromise , the cavalry remained till the next morning , and , after giving them a good breakfast , about six o'clock we shook hands , the bugle sounded , and off they rode . For the first time I understood how a fellow disappointed in love comes to enlist . When I turned about to go into my car , I found Madge standing on the platform of 218 waving a handkerchief . I paid no attention to her , and started up my steps .