seven o’clock in the
evening
Mrs Mould and her daughters fully concurred in these remarks ; the subject of which had by this time reached the street , where she experienced so much inconvenience from the air , that she was obliged to stand under an archway for a short time , to recover herself . Even after this precaution , she walked so unsteadily as to attract the compassionate regards of divers kind-hearted boys , who took the liveliest interest in her disorder ; and in their simple language bade her be of good cheer , for she was ` only a little screwed . ' Whatever she was , or whatever name the vocabulary of medical science would have bestowed upon her malady , Mrs Gamp was perfectly acquainted with the way home again ; and arriving at the house of Anthony Chuzzlewit & Son , lay down to rest . Remaining there until seven o'clock in the evening , and then persuading poor old Chuffey to betake himself to bed , she sallied forth upon her new engagement . First , she went to her private lodgings in Kingsgate Street , for a bundle of robes and wrappings comfortable in the night season ; and then repaired to the Bull in Holborn , which she reached as the clocks were striking eight . As she turned into the yard , she stopped ; for the landlord , landlady , and head chambermaid , were all on the threshold together talking earnestly with a young gentleman who seemed to have just come or to be just going away . The first words that struck upon Mrs Gamp 's ear obviously bore reference to the patient ; and it being expedient that all good attendants should know as much as possible about the case on which their skill is brought to bear , Mrs Gamp listened as a matter of duty .