seven o'clock at night
He had been recommended by some travelled individual in Boisingham to a certain lodging near Liverpool Street Station , which he found with the help of a friendly porter . Thence he set out for the Exhibition , but , being of a prudent mind , thought that he would do well to save his money and walk the distance . So he walked and walked till he was tired , and then , after an earnest consultation with a policeman , he took a ` bus , which an hour later landed him -- at the Royal Oak . His further adventures we need not pursue ; suffice it to say that , having started from his lodging at three , it was past seven o'clock at night when he finally reached the Exhibition , more thoroughly wearied than though he had done a good day 's harvesting . Here he wandered for a while in continual dread of having his pocket picked , seeking reaping machines and discovering none , till at length he found himself in the gardens , where the electric light display was in full swing . Soon wearying of this , for it was a cold damp night , he made a difficult path to a buffet inside the building , where he sat down at a little table , and devoured some very unpleasant-looking cold beef . Here slumber overcame him , for his weariness was great , and he dozed .