ten o'clock
On the night of the day before I took my departure I called John Cotton and ordered him to saddle Toby . John Cotton received the order with wide-open eyes , as it was growing somewhat late . `` Fo ' de Lord 's sake , Mars Jim , what do you want Toby fo ' ? It 's after ten o'clock . '' `` Ask no questions , you black rascal , and bring Toby around in a hurry . '' Then his eyes fell on a cluster of red roses on my table , and a broad grin crept from ear to ear . `` Sartin , Mars Jim , sartin ; '' and he was out of the door before my flying boot could repay the impertinence of that grin .