nine o'clock
He was aware of a moisture in his eyes and a lump in his throat while he meditated thus ; and then suddenly his eyes grew hot and dry again , and his larynx opened . His thought had taken a rapid turn from the general to the particular . It was a pity that an interfering ass like their member should have the right to come in and out here , record his vote , and spout his nonsense with the best of them . The metal tongue of Big Ben startled him , a booming voice that might have been that of Time itself , telling the tardy sunlight and the encroaching dusk that it was nine o'clock . Under a lamp-post Dale brought out his silver watch , and carefully set it . `` I suppose they keep Greenwich , '' he thought , `` same as we do ; '' and an apprehensive doubt presented itself . Would his clerk have the sense to see to it , that the clocks down there were duly wound ?