about five o'clock
On the adjournment of court Keith generally drifted over to the El Dorado or the Empire , where he spent an hour or so loafing with some of his numerous acquaintances . He was of the temperament that makes itself quickly popular , the laughing , hearty sort , full of badinage , and genuinely liking most men with whom he came in contact . There was always much joking in the air , but back of it was a certain reserve , a certain wariness , for every second man was a professed `` fire-eater , '' given to feeling insulted on the slightest grounds , and flying to the duel or the street fight instanter . This hour was always most pleasant to Keith ; nevertheless , he went home about five o'clock in order to enjoy an hour or so of daylight about the place . He performed prodigies of digging in the new garden : constructing terraces , flower beds , walks , and the like . While the actual construction work was under way he was greatly interested , but cared nothing for the finished product or the mere growing of the flowers . Gringo received his share of training , at first to his intense disgust .