nine o'clock in the evening
A number of rooms had been fitted up for the use of officers , and Sam and Foster were to occupy one of these , an arrangement which promised to be most comfortable . Five companies of their regiment were quartered in the same building . Cleary asked Foster 's advice as to lodgings for himself , and Foster took him off with him to find a place , while Sam was left to unpack his luggage which had just arrived from the ship . They agreed to meet again in the same room at nine o'clock in the evening . It was somewhat after the hour fixed that the three men came together . Foster brought out a bottle of whisky from a cupboard and put it on the table by the water-jug , and then offered cigars . Sam had never smoked before , but he felt that a soldier ought to smoke , and he accepted the weed , and soon they were all seated , smoking and drinking , and engaged in a lively conversation .