ten o'clock at
night
But 't was easily seen that Mrs. Polwhele could n't be carried farther . So Sammy Hosking pulled up at a farmhouse a mile beyond St. Germans : and there she was unloaded , with her traps , and put straight to bed : and a farm-boy sent back to Torpoint to fetch a chaise for her as soon as she recovered . And the Highflyer -- that had been delayed three-quarters of an hour -- rattled off at a gallop , with all on board in the worst of tempers . When they reached Falmouth -- which was not till after ten o'clock at night -- and drew up at the `` Crown and Anchor , '' the first man to hail them was old Parson Polwhele , standing there under the lamp in the entry and taking snuff to keep himself awake . `` Well , my love , '' says he , stepping forward to help his wife down and give her a kiss . `` And how have you enjoyed the journey ? '' But instead of his wife 't was a bull-necked-looking man that swung himself off the coach-roof , knocking the Parson aside , and bounced into the inn without so much as a `` beg your pardon . ''