eight o'clock
Dr Winter was easily persuaded to allow the `` Firm '' to spend the evening with Mr Richardson at the `` George . '' The small party which assembled that evening at the table of the worthy paterfamilias did not certainly look like one over which hung the shadow of `` transportation . '' The talk was of `` Tubs '' and Harriers , of tennis and `` Sociables , '' of Virgil and Euclid ; and as the first shyness of their introduction wore off , the `` Firm '' settled down to as jovial an evening as they had spent for a long time . Only once did the shadow of their `` row '' return , when Mr Richardson , at eight o'clock , said : -- `` Now , boys , good-night . I have a solicitor coming here directly . '' `` About the trial , father ? '' asked Dick , with falling countenance .