the hour of ten
The supper was well cooked , and neatly placed on the table . A foaming tankard of ale flanked the large dish of hissing steaks ; and the gentlemen from the castle set to work with a good will to do justice to Mr. Maunders 's entertainment . When the table had been cleared of all except a bowl of punch and a tray of glasses , it is scarcely a matter for wonder if the quartette had grown rather noisy , with a tendency to become still louder in its mirth with every glass of Mr. Milsom 's excellent compound . They were enjoying themselves as much as it is in the power of human nature to enjoy itself ; they had proposed all manner of toasts , and had drunk them with cheers , and the mirth was at its loudest when the clock of the village church boomed out solemnly upon the stillness of night , and tolled the hour of ten . The three men staggered hastily to their feet . `` We must be off , Maunders , old fellow , '' said the coachman , with a certain thickness of utterance . `` Right you are , Mat , '' answered Stephen .