about half past eight
Feeling that my social powers were as yet in a very undeveloped condition , I subsided into silence , as he went on : `` I hope your friends will not be very uneasy ? '' `` Oh , dear no ! '' I assured him , with a pious conviction that I was speaking the truth . `` We shall arrive at Elberthal about half past eight . '' I scarcely heard . I had plunged my hand into my pocket , and found -- a hideous conviction crossed my mind -- I had no money ! I had until this moment totally forgotten having given my purse to Merrick to keep ; and she , as pioneer of the party , naturally had all our tickets under her charge .