It was half-past five.

He must soon eat.
If he tried to go home, it would take him two hours and a half of cold walking and riding.

Besides he had orders to report at seven the next morning, and going home would necessitate his rising at an unholy and disagreeable hour.

He had only something like a dollar and fifteen cents of Carrie's money, with which he had intended to pay the two weeks' coal bill before the present idea struck him.
"They must have some place around here," he thought.

"Where does that fellow from Newark stay ?" Finally he decided to ask.