About seven in the evening
And this gentleman comes , and reads prayers to us about seven in the morning , in the lesser hall , as we call it , a retired apartment , next the little garden ; for we have no chapel with us here , as in your neighbourhood ; and this generally , with some suitable exhortation , or meditation out of some good book , which he is so kind as to let me choose now-and-then , when I please , takes up little more than half an hour . We have a great number of servants of both sexes : and myself , Mrs. Jervis , and Polly Barlow , are generally in a little closet , which , when we open the door , is but just a separation from the hall . -- Mr. Adams -LRB- for that is our young clergyman 's name -RRB- has a desk at which sometimes Mr. Jonathan makes up his running accounts to Mr. Longman , who is very scrupulous of admitting any body to the use of his office , because of the writing in his custody , and the order he values himself upon having every thing in . About seven in the evening he comes again , and I generally , let me have what company I will , find time to retire for about another half hour ; and my dear Mr. B. connives at , and excuses my absence , if enquired after ; though for so short a time , I am seldom missed . To the young gentleman I shall present , every quarter , five guineas , and Mr. B. presses him to accept of a place at his table at his pleasure : but , as we have generally much company , his modesty makes him decline it , especially at those times . -- Mr. Longman joins with us very often in our Sunday office , and Mr. Colbrand seldom misses : and they tell Mrs. Jervis that they can not express the pleasure they have to meet me there ; and the edification they receive . My best beloved dispenses as much as he can with the servants , for the evening part , if he has company ; or will be attended only by John or Abraham , perhaps by turns ; and sometimes looks upon his watch , and says , '' 'T is near seven ; '' and if he says so , they take it for a hint that they may be dispensed with for half an hour ; and this countenance which he gives me , has contributed not a little to make the matter easy and delightful to me , and to every one .