about half past ten o'clock
I was going to tell you about my potatoes . '' Walter stayed . For this privilege he was indebted to the general curiosity . `` Just imagine , when I came home about half past ten o'clock -- I could n't get away earlier on account of the crush , you know . Do n't you know , I do n't care for these big occasions . Well , when I got home -- the city is full of thieves , murderers , and that must not be forgotten -- well , my potatoes were -- what do you think my potatoes were ? They were -- gone ! ''