eleven o'clock
Two weeks from the day this conversation took place , doctor Lane and his friend James Everett met at a supper-party , where all kinds of liquors were introduced , and every kind of inducement held out for the company to drink freely . Both of the young men soon forgot their resolutions to be guarded in respect to the use of wine . As the first few glasses began to take effect , in an elevation of spirits , each felt a kind of pride in the thought that he could bear as much as any one there , and not show signs of intoxication . By eleven o'clock , there was not one at the table who was not drunk enough to be foolish . The rational and intelligent conversation that had been introduced early in the evening , had long since given place to the obscene jest -- the vulgar story -- or the bacchanalian song . Gayest of the gay were our young men , who had already , one would think , received sufficient lessons of prudence and temperance . `` Take care , James ! ''