nearly nine
o'clock
Tom and his father had alighted at the Peacock at about seven in the evening ; and having heard with unfeigned joy the paternal order at the bar , of steaks and oyster-sauce for supper in half an hour , and seen his father seated cosily by the bright fire in the coffee-room with the paper in his hand , Tom had run out to see about him , had wondered at all the vehicles passing and repassing , and had fraternized with the boots and hostler , from whom he ascertained that the Tally-ho was a tip-top goer , ten miles an hour including stoppages , and so punctual that all the road set their clocks by her . SQUIRE BROWN 'S PARTING WORDS . Then being summoned to supper , he had regaled himself in one of the bright little boxes -LSB- 7 -RSB- of the Peacock coffee-room , on the beefsteak and unlimited oyster-sauce ; had at first attended to the excellent advice which his father was bestowing on him and then begun nodding , from the united effects of the fire and the lecture . Till the Squire , observing Tom 's state , and remembering that it was nearly nine o'clock , and that the Tally-ho left at three , sent the little fellow off to the chambermaid , with a shake of the hand -LRB- Tom having stipulated in the morning before starting , that kissing should now cease between them -RRB- and a few parting words . -LSB- 7 -RSB- #Boxes # : inclosed places for eating . `` And now , Tom , my boy , '' said the Squire , `` remember you are going , at your own earnest request , to be chucked into this great school , like a young bear , with all your troubles before you , -- earlier than we should have sent you perhaps . If schools are what they were in my time , you 'll see a great many cruel blackguard things done , and hear a deal of foul bad talk .