Chapter 11
Iwokeatsixthenextmorning;andfoundGeorgeawaketoo. Webothturnedround,andtriedtogotosleepagain,butwecouldnot. Hadtherebeenanyparticularreasonwhyweshouldnothavegonetosleepagain,buthavegotupanddressedthenandthere,weshouldhavedroppedoffwhilewewerelookingatourwatches,andhaveslepttillten. Astherewasnoearthlynecessityforourgettingupunderanothertwohoursattheveryleast,andourgettingupatthattimewasanutterabsurdity,itwasonlyinkeepingwiththenaturalcussednessofthingsingeneralthatweshouldbothfeelthatlyingdownforfiveminutesmorewouldbedeathtous.
Georgesaidthatthesamekindofthing,onlyworse,hadhappenedtohimsomeeighteenmonthsago,whenhewaslodgingbyhimselfinthehouseofacertainMrs.Gippings. Hesaidhiswatchwentwrongoneevening,andstoppedataquarter-pasteight. Hedidnotknowthisatthetimebecause,forsomereasonorother,heforgottowinditupwhenhewenttobed(anunusualoccurrencewithhim),andhungitupoverhispillowwithouteverlookingatthething.
Itwasinthewinterwhenthishappened,veryneartheshortestday,andaweekoffogintothebargain,sothefactthatitwasstillverydarkwhenGeorgewokeinthemorningwasnoguidetohimastothetime. Hereachedup,andhauleddownhiswatch. Itwasaquarter-pasteight.
"Angelsandministersofgracedefendus!"exclaimedGeorge;"andherehaveIgottobeintheCitybynine.