about ten o’clock
A stranger of rank , and interest , and money , would of course get that step , for the two deaths in the regimental staff made but one captain a major , as my neighbour on the left hand feelingly remarked . All was fun and joviality ; we had a capital dinner , and no allusion whatever , direct or indirect , was made to the prevailing mortal epidemic , until the surgeon came in , about eight o'clock in the evening . `` Sit down , doctor , '' said the president -- `` take some wine ; can recommend the Madeira , claret but so , so your health . '' The doctor bowed , and soon became as happy and merry as the rest ; so we carried on , until about ten o'clock , when the lights began to waltz a little , and propagate also , and I found I had got enough , or , peradventure , a little more than enough , when the senior captain rose , and walked very composedly out of the room -- but I noticed him pinch the doctor 's shoulder as he passed . The Medico thereupon stole quietly after him ; but we did not seem to miss either -- a young sub had usurped the deserted throne , and there we were all once more in full career , singing and bousing , and cracking . bad jokes to our hearts ' content . By-and-by , in comes the doctor once more .