ten o'clock
`` You shall hear my story , '' the old man said , drawing himself up , and giving his curl a toss . `` It was the night I came away from Joppa . I had been taking tea with William Bradwell 's folks , and stayed rather late in the evening , playing for the young folks , singing old songs , and one thing and another . It was ten o'clock when I said good-night and stepped out of the house and along the road . ' T was a fine night , bright moonlight , and everything shining like silver . I 'd had a pleasant evening , and I felt right cheered up as I passed along , sometimes talking a bit to the Lady , and sometimes she to me ; for I 'd left her case at the house , seeing I should pass by again in the morning , when I took my way out of the place . `` Well , sir , -- I beg your pardon ; _ ladies _ , I should say , -- as I came along a strip of the road with the moon full on it , but bordered with willow scrub , -- as I came along , sudden a man stepped out of those bushes , and told me to stand and throw up my hands .