about ten o'clock
Women , he reflected , have such strange prejudices ! He wondered whether it would be proper for him to call upon Mrs. Goddard . He was not quite sure about it , and he was rather ashamed of having so little knowledge of the world ; but he believed that in Billingsfield he might run the risk . There had been talk of skating again that morning , and so , about ten o'clock , John told Mr. Ambrose he would go for a short walk and then join them all at the pond in the park . The project seemed good , and he put it into execution . As he walked up the frozen road , he industriously repeated in his mind the Greek verses he was going to translate to Mrs. Goddard ; he had no copy of them but his memory was very good . He met half a dozen labourers , strolling about with their pipes until it was time to go and have a pint of beer , as is their manner upon holidays ; they touched their hats to him , remembering his face well , and he smiled happily at the rough fellows , contrasting his situation with theirs , who from the misfortune of social prejudice were not permitted to go and call upon Mrs. Goddard .