nine o'clock
There 's ne'er a barber in London -LRB- and that 's a bold word -RRB- can palm a rotten caul , or a pennyweight of dead hair , upon me . '' And , indeed , this zealous adherent did wrangle so long with the merchant , that he was desired twenty times to leave the shop , and see if he could get one cheaper elsewhere . At length I made choice -LRB- if a good handsome bob -RRB- , for which I paid ten shillings , and returned to our lodging , where Strap in a moment rid me of that hair which had given the schoolmaster so much offence . We got up next day betimes , having been informed that Mr. Cringer gave audience by candle-light to all his dependents , he himself being obliged to attend the levee of my Lord Terrier at break of day , because his lordship made one at the minister 's between eight and nine o'clock . When we came to Mr. Cringer 's door , Strap , to give me all instance of his politeness , ran to the knocker , which he employed so loud and so long , that he alarmed the whole street ; and a window opening in the second story of the next house , a vessel was discharged upon him so successfully , that the poor barber was wet to the skin , while I , being luckily at some distance , escaped the unsavoury deluge . In the meantime , a footman opening the door , and seeing nobody in the street but us , asked , with a stern countenance , if it was I who made such a noise , and what I wanted . I told him I had business with his master , whom I desired to see .