midnight
I was next introduced , with some ceremony , to Mrs. Trotbridge , as the politician who had gone over the country effecting such wonderful political changes . After divers courtesies , the good woman put so many questions to me concerning my past history and future hopes , that I found it somewhat difficult to answer them . Mrs. Trotbridge had no very deep love for politicians in general , the doctor of the parish having told her that they did serious damage to brandy punches . Had I felt inclined , I verily believe she would have held me in conversation until midnight , such was her nimbleness of tongue . The walls of the room , which was about twenty feet by twelve in dimensions , were hung with small , colored pictures , in mahogany frames ; an high shoe bench in one corner , a few flag bottom chairs , a table and two small workstands , and four pair of shoemaker 's clamps , arranged at the windows , constituted the simple but substantial furniture . But there was over all an air of neatness about it truly charming . There was a place for everything , and everything was in its place .