eight o’clock
But Jenkins was terribly vexed that the report had got abroad through him . He determined to pay a visit to Mr. Ketch , and reproach him with his incaution . Mr. Ketch sat in his lodge , taking his supper : bread and cheese , and a pint of ale procured at the nearest public-house . Except in the light months of summer , it was his habit to close the cloister gates before supper-time ; but as Mr. Ketch liked to take that meal early -- that is to say , at eight o'clock -- and , as dusk , for at least four months in the year , obstinately persisted in putting itself off to a later hour , in spite of his growling , and as he might not shut up before dusk , he had no resource but to take his supper first and lock up afterwards . The `` lodge '' was a quaint abode , of one room only , built in an obscure nook of the cathedral , near the grand entrance . He was pursuing his meal after his own peculiar custom : eating , drinking , and grumbling . `` It 's worse nor leather , this cheese !