four o'clock
`` Well , I do n't mind astonishing the natives for once in a way , '' replied Freddy ; `` but it 's dreadfully debauched , eating oysters and drinking porter at this time of day or night , whichever you are pleased to call it ; you 'll ruin my morals . '' `` The devil fly away with your morals , and he wo n't be overloaded either , '' was the polite rejoinder ; and in we all went together . The oysters and porter soon made their appearance , and had ample justice done them ; then , as a matter of course , spirits and water and cigars were produced , `` just to prevent the oysters from disagreeing with us '' ; and we sat talking over old times , and relating various adventures which had occurred to us since , without troubling our heads about the flight of minutes . At length Coleman , pulling out his watch , exclaimed : `` Past four o'clock , by the powers ! I must be getting to bed -- I 've got a lease to draw to-morrow , and my head wo n't be over-clear as it is . '' `` Nonsense , '' replied Lawless ; `` bed 's all a popular delusion ; we ca n't be better off than we are -- sit still . '' But on Coleman 's persisting in his wish to depart , Lawless continued : `` Well , take another glass , and then Frank and I will walk home with you , and see you safe , for it 's my belief that you 're getting ` screwed. , ' or you 'd never think of going to bed '' .