five o'clock
They all concurred in the need for this course , and proceeded to the antique and lampless back street , in which the red curtain of the Three Tuns was the only radiant object . As soon as they had stumbled down into the room Melbury ordered them to be served , when they made themselves comfortable by the long table , and stretched out their legs upon the herring-boned sand of the floor . Melbury himself , restless as usual , walked to the door while he waited for them , and looked up and down the street . `` I 'd gie her a good shaking if she were my maid ; pretending to go out in the garden , and leading folk a twelve-mile traipse that have got to get up at five o'clock to morrow , '' said a bark-ripper ; who , not working regularly for Melbury , could afford to indulge in strong opinions . `` I do n't speak so warm as that , '' said the hollow-turner , `` but if 't is right for couples to make a country talk about their separating , and excite the neighbors , and then make fools of 'em like this , why , I have n't stood upon one leg for five-and-twenty year . '' All his listeners knew that when he alluded to his foot-lathe in these enigmatic terms , the speaker meant to be impressive ; and Creedle chimed in with , `` Ah , young women do wax wanton in these days ! Why could n't she ha ' bode with her father , and been faithful ? ''