ten o'clock
He could not remember to have ever behaved so capriciously . The hotel pleased him . After inspecting his bedroom , he came down again to smoke and glance over the newspapers ; it was about half-past nine . Half a dozen men were in the smoking-room ; by ten o'clock there remained , exclusive of Piers , only three , of whom two were discussing politics by the fireside , whilst the third sat apart from them in a deep chair , reading a book . The political talk began to interest Otway ; he listened , behind his newspaper . The louder of the disputants was a man of about fifty , dressed like a prosperous merchant ; his cheeks were flabby , his chin triple or quadruple , his short neck , always very red , grew crimson as he excited himself . He was talking about the development of markets for British wares , and kept repeating the phrase `` trade outlets , '' as if it had a flavour which he enjoyed .