about nine o’clock
The stem was three inches in diameter , and the branches had been trained along and over a sparred arch , and were loaded with pods . `` I shall believe in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk , henceforth and for ever , '' said I . We were most kindly entertained by Mr S -- , and spent two or three days very happily . The evening of the day on which we arrived , we had strolled out about nine o'clock to take the air -- our host and his clerks being busy in the counting-house -- and were on our way home , when we looked in on them at their desks , before ascending to the apartments above . There were five clerks and Mr S -- , all working away on the top of their tall mahogany tripods , by the light of their brown home-made wax candles , while three masters of merchantmen were sitting in a corner , comparing bills of lading , making up manifests , and I do not know what beside . `` It is now about time to close , '' said Mr S -- ; `` have you any objection to a little music , gentlemen ? or are you too much fatigued ? ''