three o’clock in the afternoon
You shall soon see whether he 's of use or not . ' Mr Dennis received these explanatory remarks with many nods and winks , and softened his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment . Hugh , laying his finger on his nose , stepped back into his former place , and they proceeded in silence . It was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon when the three great parties met at Westminster , and , uniting into one huge mass , raised a tremendous shout . This was not only done in token of their presence , but as a signal to those on whom the task devolved , that it was time to take possession of the lobbies of both Houses , and of the various avenues of approach , and of the gallery stairs . To the last-named place , Hugh and Dennis , still with their pupil between them , rushed straightway ; Barnaby having given his flag into the hands of one of their own party , who kept them at the outer door . Their followers pressing on behind , they were borne as on a great wave to the very doors of the gallery , whence it was impossible to retreat , even if they had been so inclined , by reason of the throng which choked up the passages .