ten in the morning
He listened sulkily , took the receipt , and muttered some ungracious thanks . Old Matthew eyed him queerly , and , catching a whiff of brandy , pulled out his gold watch . The action may have been involuntary . The hour was half-past ten in the morning . `` Well , well -- I must be going . Excuse me , nephew Wright ; with my experience I ought to have known better than to withdraw a busy man from his work . '' He glanced at Hetty , with a look which as good as asked leave for a few words with her in private .