nine o’clock
It was not like the effect of wine , or any ardent drink , for he was perfectly coherent . It even made him proof against the usual influence of such means of excitement ; for , although he drank deeply several times that day , with no reserve or caution , he remained exactly the same man , and his spirits neither rose nor fell in the least observable degree . Deciding , after some discussion , to travel at night , in order that the day 's business might not be broken in upon , they took counsel together in reference to the means . Mr Montague being of opinion that four horses were advisable , at all events for the first stage , as throwing a great deal of dust into people 's eyes , in more senses than one , a travelling chariot and four lay under orders for nine o'clock . Jonas did not go home ; observing , that his being obliged to leave town on business in so great a hurry , would be a good excuse for having turned back so unexpectedly in the morning . So he wrote a note for his portmanteau , and sent it by a messenger , who duly brought his luggage back , with a short note from that other piece of luggage , his wife , expressive of her wish to be allowed to come and see him for a moment . To this request he sent for answer , ` she had better ; ' and one such threatening affirmative being sufficient , in defiance of the English grammar , to express a negative , she kept away .