nine o'clock
Would n't cheat a man , if it was ever so . ' ` Sure you would n't , ' replied Sponge , nothing comforted by the assertion . They then resumed their seats opposite each other at the little table , with the hot water and sugar , and ` Fine London Spirit ' bottle equitably placed between them . At first Mr. Sponge was the victor , and by nine o'clock had scored eight-and-twenty shillings against his host , when he was inclined to leave off , alleging that he was an early man , and would go to bed -- an arrangement that Facey seemed to come into , only pressing Sponge to accompany the gin he was now helping himself to with another cigar . This seemed all fair and reasonable ; and as Sponge conned matters over , through the benign influence of the `` baccy , ' he really thought Facey might n't be such a bad beggar after all . ` Well , then , ' said he , as he finished cigar and glass together , ` if you 'll give me eight-and-twenty bob , I 'll be off to Bedfordshire . ' ` You 'll give me my revenge surely ! '