ten o'clock
Mrs. Walsham felt somewhat alarmed when her son told her what had happened , for the squire was a great man at Sidmouth , a magistrate , and the owner of the greater part of the place as well as of the land around it ; and although Mrs. Walsham did not hold the same exaggerated opinion of his powers as did the majority of his neighbours , who would scarcely have dreamt of opposing it , had the squire ordered anyone to be hung and quartered , still she felt that it was a somewhat terrible thing that her son should have thrashed the nephew and heir of the great man . In the evening there was a knock at the door , and the little maid came in with eyes wide open with alarm , for she had heard of the afternoon 's battle , to say that the constable wished to speak to Mrs. Walsham . `` Servant , ma'am , '' he said as he entered . `` I am sorry to be here on an unpleasant business ; but I have got to say as the squire wishes to see Master Walsham in the justice room at ten o'clock , on a charge of ` salt and battery . `` Do n't you be afeard ma'am , '' he went on confidentially . `` I do n't think as anything is going to be done to him . I ai n't got no warrant , and so I do n't look upon it as regular business .