two o’clock in the morning
` Sir ! ' exclaimed Mr. Winkle , starting from his chair . ` Serpent , Sir , ' repeated Mr. Pott , raising his voice , and then suddenly depressing it : ` I said , serpent , sir -- make the most of it . ' When you have parted with a man at two o'clock in the morning , on terms of the utmost good-fellowship , and he meets you again , at half-past nine , and greets you as a serpent , it is not unreasonable to conclude that something of an unpleasant nature has occurred meanwhile . So Mr. Winkle thought . He returned Mr. Pott 's gaze of stone , and in compliance with that gentleman 's request , proceeded to make the most he could of the ` serpent . ' The most , however , was nothing at all ; so , after a profound silence of some minutes ' duration , he said , -- ` Serpent , Sir !