about eleven o’clock at night
`` Will you tell his lordship what happened ? '' `` Certainly , my lord . Mr. Toopny gave us a supper , us himps , my lord , at the _ Hilarity _ ; for he said -- '' `` Never mind what he said , tell us what happened as you were coming home . '' `` Well , sir , it was about eleven o'clock at night , and I was turning the lane into the _ Hit or Miss _ , when I heard an awful flapping and hissing and whirring , like wings working by steam , in the waste ground at the side of the lane . And , as I was listening -- oh , it frightens me now to think of it -- oh , sir -- '' `` Well , do n't be alarmed , my good child ! What occurred ? '' `` A great thing like a bird , sir , bigger than a man , flew up over my head , higher than the houses .