half past nine
Startop , being a lively , bright young fellow , and Drummle being the exact opposite , the latter was always disposed to resent him as a direct personal affront . He now retorted in a coarse , lumpish way , and Startop tried to turn the discussion aside with some small pleasantry that made us all laugh . Resenting this little success more than anything , Drummle , without any threat or warning , pulled his hands out of his pockets , dropped his round shoulders , swore , took up a large glass , and would have flung it at his adversary 's head , but for our entertainer 's dexterously seizing it at the instant when it was raised for that purpose . `` Gentlemen , '' said Mr. Jaggers , deliberately putting down the glass , and hauling out his gold repeater by its massive chain , `` I am exceedingly sorry to announce that it 's half past nine . '' On this hint we all rose to depart . Before we got to the street door , Startop was cheerily calling Drummle `` old boy , '' as if nothing had happened . But the old boy was so far from responding , that he would not even walk to Hammersmith on the same side of the way ; so Herbert and I , who remained in town , saw them going down the street on opposite sides ; Startop leading , and Drummle lagging behind in the shadow of the houses , much as he was wont to follow in his boat .