five in the morning
Shaugh and myself were too hard-up to be particular , and so we invited her to dance alternately for two consecutive hours , plying her assiduously with negus during the lulls in the music . `` Supper was at last announced , and enabled us to recruit for new efforts ; and so after an awful consumption of fowl , pigeon-pie , ham , and brandy cherries , Mrs. Rogers brightened up considerably , and professed her willingness to join the dancers . As for us , partly from exhaustion , partly to stimulate our energies , and in some degree to drown reflection , we drank deep , and when we reached the drawing-room , not only the agreeable guests themselves , but even the furniture , the venerable chairs , and the stiff old sofa seemed performing ` Sir Roger de Coverley . ' How we conducted ourselves till five in the morning , let our cramps confess ; for we were both bed-ridden for ten days after . However , at last Mrs. Rogers gave in , and reclining gracefully upon a window-seat , pronounced it a most elegant party , and asked me to look for her shawl . While I perambulated the staircase with her bonnet on my head , and more wearing apparel than would stock a magazine , Shaugh was roaring himself hoarse in the street , calling Mrs. Rogers ' coach . ``` Sure , Captain , ' said the lady , with a tender leer , ` it 's only a chair . '