7:30
Hope , however , was not utterly removed . Those who chose to place an additional penny stamp on their letters could , by posting them in a separate box , have them taken in for that mail up to seven . Twopence secured their acceptance up to 7:15 . Threepence up to 7:30 , and sixpence up to 7:45 , but all letters posted after six without the late fees were detained for the following mail . `` Sharp practice ! '' observed George Aspel to the red-coated official , who , after shutting the mouth , placed a ticket above it which told all corners that they were too late . `` Yes , sir , and pretty sharp work is needful when you consider that the mails we 've got to send out daily from this office consist of over 5800 bags , weighing forty-three tons , while the mails received number more than 5500 bags .