half after ten
As he quickly exercised the authority of an officer , the gathering crowd dispersed , and the grenadiers staggered away . I was prompt enough to slip down High street , glad to be so well out of it . At the inn of the `` Bag of Nails , '' on Front street , I found a number of Friends , quiet over their Hollands . I sat down in a dark corner , and would have had a well-earned bowl ; but I was no sooner seated than in came a man with a small bell , and , walking among the guests , rang it , saying , `` It is half after ten , and there will be no more liquor served . No more ! no more ! '' I knew that it would be impossible to break this decree , and therefore contented myself with cold beef and cole-slaw .