five o’clock
He thanked the gentlemen for the honour they had done him . He was glad that he had been able to help his father in proving his integrity and regaining his honest name ; and , for his own part , he hoped he should never undo that work and disgrace that name . But the applause that followed was so great , and Tom looked so gentlemanly as well as tall and straight , that Mr Tulliver remarked , in an explanatory manner , to his friends on his right and left , that he had spent a deal of money on his son 's education . The party broke up in very sober fashion at five o'clock . Tom remained in St Ogg 's to attend to some business , and Mr Tulliver mounted his horse to go home , and describe the memorable things that had been said and done , to `` poor Bessy and the little wench . '' The air of excitement that hung about him was but faintly due to good cheer or any stimulus but the potent wine of triumphant joy . He did not choose any back street to-day , but rode slowly , with uplifted head and free glances , along the principal street all the way to the bridge .