ten o'clock
Harry sang ` In Old Madrid , ' accompanied by his stepmother , with faultless expression . Mr. Duncalf astonished everybody with the famous North-Country recitation , ` The Patent Hair-brushing Mashane . ' There were also a banjo solo , a skirt dance of discretion , and a campanological turn . At last , towards ten o'clock , Mr. Gordon , who had hitherto done nothing , rose in his place , amid good-natured cries of ` Gas ! ' ` I feel sure you will all agree with me , ' he began , ` that this evening would not be complete without a vote of thanks -- a very hearty vote of thanks -- to our excellent host and chairman . ' Ear-splitting applause . ` I 've got a little story to tell you , ' he continued -- ` a story that up to this moment has been a close secret between his Worship the Mayor and myself . '