ten in the morning
And so Bold sat down on the soft turf to listen , or rather to think how , after such sweet harmony , he might best introduce a theme of so much discord , to disturb the peace of him who was so ready to welcome him kindly . Bold thought that the performance was soon over , for he felt that he had a somewhat difficult task , and he almost regretted the final leave-taking of the last of the old men , slow as they were in going through their adieux . Bold 's heart was in his mouth , as the precentor made some ordinary but kind remark as to the friendliness of the visit . `` One evening call , '' said he , `` is worth ten in the morning . It 's all formality in the morning ; real social talk never begins till after dinner . That 's why I dine early , so as to get as much as I can of it . '' `` Quite true , Mr Harding , '' said the other ; `` but I fear I 've reversed the order of things , and I owe you much apology for troubling you on business at such an hour ; but it is on business that I have called just now . ''