Half after nine
Given out Wednesday night , eight o'clock ; brought in Thursday morning , half after nine . '' The tail of Mr. Snagsby 's eye becomes conscious of the head of Mrs. Snagsby looking in at the shop-door to know what he means by deserting his tea . Mr. Snagsby addresses an explanatory cough to Mrs. Snagsby , as who should say , `` My dear , a customer ! '' `` Half after nine , sir , '' repeats Mr. Snagsby . `` Our law-writers , who live by job-work , are a queer lot ; and this may not be his name , but it 's the name he goes by . I remember now , sir , that he gives it in a written advertisement he sticks up down at the Rule Office , and the King 's Bench Office , and the Judges ' Chambers , and so forth . You know the kind of document , sir -- wanting employ ? ''