6 P.M.
Mr. Chester wrote from Lancashire . He informed Meadows he had succeeded to a very large property in that county -- it had been shockingly mismanaged by his predecessor ; he wanted a capable man 's advice , and moreover all the estates thereabouts were compelled to be surveyed and valued this year , which he deplored , but since so it was he would be surveyed and valued by none but John Meadows . `` Come by return of post , '' added this hasty squire , `` and I 'll introduce you to half the landed proprietors in this county . '' Meadows read this and seizing a pen wrote thus : `` DEAR SIR -- Yours received this day at 1 p.m. , and will start for your house at 6 P.M. '' He threw himself on his horse and rode to his mother 's house . `` Mother , I am turned out of my house . '' `` Why , John , you do n't say so ? '' `` I must go into the new house I have built outside the town . ''