five in the afternoon
``` Never mind , ' thought I ; ` a few days more , and it 's little I 'll care for the eighteen manoeuvres . It 's small trouble your eyes right or your left , shoulders forward , will give me . I 'll sell out , and with the Widow Boggs and seven hundred a year , -- but no matter . ' `` This confounded inspection lasted till half-past five in the afternoon ; so that our mess was delayed a full hour in consequence , and it was past seven as we sat down to dinner . Our faces were grim enough as we met together at first ; but what will not a good dinner and good wine do for the surliest party ? By eight o'clock we began to feel somewhat more convivially disposed ; and before nine , the decanters were performing a quick-step round the table , in a fashion very exhilarating and very jovial to look at . ``` No flinching to-night , ' said the senior major .