ten o'clock
A sulky , half-muttered `` sha n't , '' was the only reply . `` Nay , I do n't want anything of that kind ; I do n't indeed , Lawless ; pray leave him alone , '' cried Oaklands eagerly . But Lawless was not so easily quieted , and Oaklands , unwilling to risk the harmony so newly established between them , did not choose to interfere further ; so Mullins was dragged across the room by the ears , and was forced by Lawless , who stood over him with the poker -LRB- which , he informed him , he was destined to eat red-hot if he became restive -RRB- , to make Oaklands a long and ~ 59 ~ ~ formal apology , with a short form of thanksgiving appended , for the kindness and condescension he had evinced in knocking him down so nicely , of which oration he delivered himself with a very bad grace indeed . `` And all went merry as a marriage-bell , '' until we were summoned to the drawing-room , where we were regaled with weak tea , thin bread and butter , and small conversation till ten o'clock , when Mrs. Mildman proceeded to read prayers , which , being a duty she was little accustomed to , and which consequently rendered her extremely nervous , she did not accomplish without having twice called King William , George , and suppressed our gracious Queen Adelaide altogether . `` What have we here -- a man or a fish ? '' -- The Tempest . ' `` The devil he baited a trap , With billiard balls and a cue ; And he chose as marker , An imp much darker Than all the rest in hue .