eleven o'clock
Sometimes it was national ; they commiserated the citizen who had been intimidated at the polling-booth . Sometimes it was a question of right -- like a uniform divorce law ; sometimes merely a question of expediency -- like the tariff . But principally they discussed the affairs of a vast and sudden municipality ; they bade one another not to despair , after all , either of the city or of the republic . And towards eleven o'clock the priests of the cult saw an offering of cheese-sandwiches and beer set before their idol , and presently , in true sacerdotal fashion , they fell upon these viands on their own account . `` Oh , come , '' said Truesdale , shrugging his shoulders , as he cast on Brower and his circle a look half of expostulation and half of embarrassment , `` I 'm not entitled to annoy your friends with any such filthy trifle as _ that _ . Besides , I do n't claim it as any grievance of _ mine _ . '' He thought , privately , that his mother 's disposition to dicker with the populace was no more creditable than necessary ; he could take no great pleasure in dwelling upon it too lingeringly .