midnight
When rubbers end at past ten o'clock at night , well-bred people wait for their host to suggest beginning another . Ill-bred ones , that do n't want one , say suddenly that it must be getting late -- as if Time had slapped them -- and get at their watches . Those that do , say that that clock is fast . In the present case no disposition existed , after a good deal of travelling , to play cards till midnight . But there was no occasion to hustle the visitor downstairs . Said Miss Dickenson , to concede a short breathing pause : -- `` Pray , Mr. Pellew , when a gentleman accidentally leaves a book at your rooms , do you make no effort to return it to him ? '' `` Well ! ''