four o'clock
The speech and entry had not seemed to be at all an abrupt beginning to the maltster , introductory matter being often omitted in this neighbourhood , both from word and deed , and the maltster having the same latitude allowed him , did not hurry to reply . He picked up a fragment of cheese , by pecking upon it with his knife , as a butcher picks up skewers . Henery appeared in a drab kerseymere great-coat , buttoned over his smock-frock , the white skirts of the latter being visible to the distance of about a foot below the coat-tails , which , when you got used to the style of dress , looked natural enough , and even ornamental -- it certainly was comfortable . Matthew Moon , Joseph Poorgrass , and other carters and waggoners followed at his heels , with great lanterns dangling from their hands , which showed that they had just come from the cart-horse stables , where they had been busily engaged since four o'clock that morning . `` And how is she getting on without a baily ? '' the maltster inquired . Henery shook his head , and smiled one of the bitter smiles , dragging all the flesh of his forehead into a corrugated heap in the centre .