nine o'clock
At the far end there was a table and a lamp , and down at the table me gentlemen sat , and commenced to talk . '' Nurse Brennan paused , and Mrs. Mangan gave the fire a well-directed poke , that set the flames branching upwards . The tale was resumed , in those cool and equable tones that express a more perfected indignation than any heat or haste could convey . `` Well , that was nine o'clock , and they talked there for two hours , and I giving the patient brandy , and expecting every minyute he 'd collapse . And what do you suppose they were talking about ? Fighting they were ! Disputing which of them would perform the operation , and which would administer the chloroform ! ''