nearly nine o'clock before
The man then told him of the nail , and asked if he should have the shoe looked to . `` No , '' said Smith , `` that will be all right till we get home . '' He spoke in a very loud , offhand way , and I thought it very unlike him not to see about the shoe , as he was generally wonderfully particular about loose nails in our shoes . He did not come at six nor seven , nor eight , and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me , and then it was with a loud , rough voice . He seemed in a very bad temper , and abused the hostler , though I could not tell what for . The landlord stood at the door and said , `` Have a care , Mr. Smith ! '' but he answered angrily with an oath ; and almost before he was out of the town he began to gallop , frequently giving me a sharp cut with his whip , though I was going at full speed .