eleven o'clock
* * * * * Miss Mally paused when she had read the letter , and it was unanimously agreed , that Mrs. Pringle gave a more full account of London than either father , son , or daughter . By this time the night was far advanced , and Mrs. Glibbans was rising to go away , apprehensive , as she observed , that they were going to bring `` the carts '' into the room . Upon Miss Mally , however , assuring her that no such transgression was meditated , but that she intended to treat them with a bit nice Highland mutton ham , and eggs , of her own laying , that worthy pillar of the Relief Kirk consented to remain . It was past eleven o'clock when the party broke up ; Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. Micklewham walked home together , and as they were crossing the Red Burn Bridge , at the entrance of Eglintoun Wood , -- a place well noted from ancient times for preternatural appearances , Mr. Micklewham declared that he thought he heard something purring among the bushes ; upon which Mr. Snodgrass made a jocose observation , stating , that it could be nothing but the effect of Lord North 's strong ale in his head ; and we should add , by way of explanation , that the Lord North here spoken of was Willy Grieve , celebrated in Irvine for the strength and flavour of his brewing , and that , in addition to a plentiful supply of his best , Miss Mally had entertained them with tamarind punch , constituting a natural cause adequate to produce all the preternatural purring that terrified the dominie . Tam Glen having , in consequence of the exhortations of Mr. Micklewham , and the earnest entreaties of Mr. Daff , backed by the pious animadversions of the rigidly righteous Mr. Craig , confessed a fault , and acknowledged an irregular marriage with Meg Milliken , their child was admitted to church privileges . But before the day of baptism , Mr. Daff , who thought Tam had given but sullen symptoms of penitence , said , to put him in better humour with his fate , -- `` Noo , Tam , since ye hae beguiled us of the infare , we maun mak up for ' t at the christening ; so I 'll speak to Mr. Snodgrass to bid the Doctor 's friens and acquaintance to the ploy , that we may get as meikle amang us as will pay for the bairn 's baptismal frock . '' Mr. Craig , who was present , and who never lost an opportunity of testifying , as he said , his `` discountenance of the crying iniquity , '' remonstrated with Mr. Daff on the unchristian nature of the proposal , stigmatising it with good emphasis `` as a sinful nourishing of carnality in his day and generation . ''