eight
o'clock
About the real business of the election -- about his own true position and prospects -- Gammon never once deigned to consult or instruct him ; but had confined himself to the preparation of a very short and simple speech , to be delivered by Titmouse , if possible , from the hustings , and which he had made that gentleman copy out many times , and _ promise _ that he would endeavor to learn off by heart . He might as well , however , have attempted to walk up the outside of the Monument ! Merrily rang the bells of Grilston church on the election morning , by order of the vicar , the Reverend Gideon Fleshpot , who was a stanch Titmousite , and had long cast a sort of sheep 's eye upon the living of Yatton ; for he was nearly twenty years younger than its present possessor , Dr. Tatham . What a bustle was there in the town by eight o'clock ! All business was to be suspended for the day . Great numbers from the places adjacent began to pour into the town about that hour . It was soon seen who was the popular candidate -- he whose colors were _ yellow _ ; for wherever you went , yellow cockades , rosettes , and button-ties for the men , and yellow ribbons for the girls , yellow flags and yellow placards with `` TITMOUSE FOR YATTON ! ''