about six p.m.
I could n't help blushing though as I declined , more particularly when my would-be charioteer swore he considered it `` an engagement , hey ? -- only put off to another time -- get the coach new painted -- begad , Miss Coventry 's favourite colour ! '' And the old monster grinned in my face till I could have boxed his ears . The author by this time was fast asleep , with a handkerchief over his face , Miss Minnows searching in vain for a fabulous pair of clogs , as she imagined the dew must be falling -- it was about six p.m. , and hot June weather . Sir Guy was off to the hampers in search of `` brandy and soda , '' and the rest of the party lounging about in twos and threes , when Captain Lovell proposed we should stroll down to the river and have a row in the cool of the evening . Mary Molasses voted it `` charming ; '' Lady Scapegrace was willing to go anywhere away from Sir Guy ; John , of course , all alive for a lark ; and though Mrs. Molasses preferred remaining on dry land , she had no objection to trusting her girls with us . So we mustered a strong party for embarkation on Father Thames .