eight p.m.
That Mr. Sam did not think better of it scarcely needs to be said ; and during the next few days some of Nicky 's confidence began to ooze away . His master made no sign ; he could not hear that anyone had been engaged in his place , or that anyone had been proposed for the job , but this silence somehow disconcerted rather than reassured him . He discussed it with his neighbour Hosken -LRB- one of the few small freeholders in the parish , who along with a cottage and two acres of garden had inherited a deep ancestral suspicion of the Rosewarnes and all their ways -RRB- , and between them the pair devised a plan to meet contingencies . The ferry closed at eight p.m. during the winter months . At half-past eight on Saturday night Nicky again presented himself at Hall , and was politely received in the counting-house . `` Take a seat , '' suggested Mr. Sam . `` Thank ` ee , sir , '' said Nicky , somewhat reassured .