ten o'clock
Like the Finnegan of song , he was gone again when Varney rose next morning . Indeed , it was only too clear that his Celtic interests had been suddenly engrossed by matters much nearer his heart than the prospect , as he saw the thing , of spanking a naughty child . `` He was off by half-past eight , sir , '' the steward , McTosh , told Varney at breakfast . `` He said to tell you to give yourself no uneasiness , sir ; that he was only going to Mr. Hare 's -- I think was the name -- for a short call , and would return by ten o'clock . '' `` What else did he say ? '' `` Well , sir , he was saying how the poltix of the village is not all they might be , but he seemed very cheerful , sir , and took three times to the chops . '' At dinner-time last night such extraordinary behavior from his fellow-conspirator would have both disturbed and angered Varney .