about five o'clock
Stimcoe , I need scarcely say , had given us a whole holiday ; and Stimcoe 's and Rogerses met in amity for once , and cheered in the throng that carried the home-comers shoulder high to the Town Hall , where the Mayor had arrayed a public banquet . There were speeches at the banquet , and alcoholic liquors , both affecting in operation upon his Worship 's guests . Poor fellows , they came to it after long abstinence , with stomachs sadly out of training ; and the streets of Falmouth that evening were a panoramic commentary upon the danger of undiscriminating kindness . Now at about five o'clock I happened to be standing at the edge of the Market Stairs , watching the efforts of a boat 's crew to take a dozen of these inebriates on board for the transport , when I heard my name called , and turned to see Mr. George Goodfellow beckoning to me from the doorway of the Plume of Feathers public-house . `` It 's Coffin , '' he explained . `` The old fool 's sitting in the taproom as drunk as an owl , and I was reckonin ' that you an ' me between us might get him home quiet before the house fills up an ' mischief begins ; for by the looks of it there 'll be Newgate-let-loose in Falmouth streets to-night . '' I answered that this was very thoughtful of him ; and so it was , and , moreover , providential that he had dropped in at the Plume of Feathers for two-pennyworth of cider to celebrate the day .