a quarter
past ten
Jawleyford was sure he would lose himself , and Sponge was equally confident that he would n't . At length the glad sound of the gong put an end to all further argument ; and the inmates of Jawleyford Court retired , candle in hand , to their respective apartments , to adorn for a repetition of the yesterday 's spread , with the addition of the Rev. Mr. Hobanob 's company , to say grace , and praise the ` Wintle . ' An appetiteless dinner was succeeded by tea and music , as before . The three elegant French clocks in the drawing-room being at variance , one being three-quarters of an hour before the slowest , and twenty minutes before the next , Mr. Hobanob -LRB- much to the horror of Jawleyford -RRB- having nearly fallen asleep with his Sèvres coffee-cup in his hand , at last drew up his great silver watch by its jack-chain , and finding it was a quarter past ten , prepared to decamp -- taking as affectionate a leave of the ladies as if he had been going to China . He was followed by Mr. Jawleyford , to see him pocket his pumps , and also by Mr. Sponge , to see what sort of a night it was . The sky was clear , stars sparkled in the firmament , and a young crescent moon shone with silvery brightness o'er the scene . ` That 'll do , ' said Sponge , as he eyed it ; ` no haze there .