nine o'clock
Heir to a noble name and vast estates , extremely hard-working , very well informed , it was impossible that he should not creep on . That night he spoke sensibly enough , assisting his memory by frequent references to his notes ; listened to courteously , and greeted with a faint `` Hear , hear ! '' of relief when he had done . Then the House gradually thinned till nine o'clock , at which hour it became very rapidly crowded . A Cabinet minister had solemnly risen , deposited on the table before him a formidable array of printed papers , including a corpulent blue-book . Leaning his arm on the red box , he commenced with this awe-compelling sentence , -- `` Sir , I join issue with the right honourable gentleman opposite . He says this is not raised as a party question .