about nine o’clock
` I beg your pardon , my dear . ' ` When I was in Suffolk , ' resumed Mr. Parsons , with an impatient glance at his wife , who pretended not to observe it , ` which is now years ago , business led me to the town of Bury St. Edmund 's . I had to stop at the principal places in my way , and therefore , for the sake of convenience , I travelled in a gig . I left Sudbury one dark night -- it was winter time -- about nine o'clock ; the rain poured in torrents , the wind howled among the trees that skirted the roadside , and I was obliged to proceed at a foot-pace , for I could hardly see my hand before me , it was so dark -- ' ` John , ' interrupted Mrs. Parsons , in a low , hollow voice , ` do n't spill that gravy . ' ` Fanny , ' said Parsons impatiently , ` I wish you 'd defer these domestic reproofs to some more suitable time . Really , my dear , these constant interruptions are very annoying . ' ` My dear , I did n't interrupt you , ' said Mrs. Parsons .