about noon
He lost his money at whist after dinner , and actually trumped his partner 's highest spade . And the thoughts of the suffering boy , of whom he was proud , and whom he loved after his manner , kept the old fellow awake half through the night , and made him feverish and uneasy . On the morrow he received a note in a handwriting which he did not know : it was that of Mr. Bows , indeed , saying , that Mr. Arthur Pendennis had had a tolerable night ; and that as Dr. Goodenough had stated that the major desired to be informed of his nephew 's health , he , R. B. , had sent him the news per rail . The next day he was going out shooting , about noon , with some of the gentlemen staying at Lord Steyne 's house ; and the company , waiting for the carriages , were assembled on the terrace in front of the house , when a fly drove up from the neighboring station , and a gray-headed , rather shabby old gentleman , jumped out , and asked for Major Pendennis ? It was Mr. Bows . He took the major aside and spoke to him ; most of the gentlemen round about saw that something serious had happened , from the alarmed look of the major 's face . Wagg said , `` It 's a bailiff come down to nab the major ; '' but nobody laughed at the pleasantry .