eight o'clock
`` Money and presents ? I should like to shoot you , sir ! '' yelled Mr. Filer . The audience had really been very patient , and up to this point deserved Verena 's praise ; but it was now long past eight o'clock , and symptoms of irritation -- cries and groans and hisses -- began again to proceed from the hall . Mr. Filer launched himself into the passage leading to the stage , and Selah rushed after him . Mrs. Tarrant extended herself , sobbing , on the sofa , and Olive , quivering in the storm , inquired of Ransom what he wanted her to do , what humiliation , what degradation , what sacrifice he imposed . `` I 'll do anything -- I 'll be abject -- I 'll be vile -- I 'll go down in the dust ! ''