nine o’clock
The dinner was a remarkable one ; choice viands and the best wines were served in abundance . But Mathieu was struck less by the appetite which the others displayed than by Beauchene 's activity and skill . Glass in hand , never losing a bite , he had already persuaded his customer , by the time the roast arrived , to order not only the new thresher but also a mowing machine . M. Firon-Badinier was to take the train for Evreux at nine-twenty , and when nine o'clock struck , the other , now eager to be rid of him , contrived to pack him off in a cab to the St.-Lazare railway station . For a moment Beauchene remained standing on the pavement with Mathieu , and took off his hat in order that the mild breezes of that delightful May evening might cool his burning head . `` Well , that 's settled , '' he said with a laugh . `` But it was n't so easily managed .