six in
the evening
He not only acted the reformer , or rather the castigator , in the fashionable world , but also exercised his talents among the inferior class of people , who chanced to incur his displeasure . One mischievous plan that entered our hero 's imagination was suggested by two advertisements published in the same paper , by persons who wanted to borrow certain sums of money , for which they promised to give undeniable security . Peregrine , from the style and manner of both , concluded they were written by attorneys , a species of people for whom he entertained his uncle 's aversion . In order to amuse himself and some of his friends with their disappointment , he wrote a letter signed A. B. to each advertiser , according to the address specified in the newspaper , importing , that if he would come with his writings to a certain coffee-house near the Temple , precisely at six in the evening , he would find a person sitting in the right-hand box next to the window , who would be glad to treat with him about the subject of his advertisement ; and , should his security be liked , would accommodate him with the sum which he wanted to raise . Before the hour of this double appointment , Pickle , with his friend Cadwallader , and a few more gentlemen , to whom he had thought proper to communicate the plan , went to the coffee-house , and seated themselves near the place that was destined for their meeting . The hope of getting money had such an evident effect upon their punctuality , that one of them arrived a considerable time before the hour ; and having reconnoitred the room , took his station according to the direction he had received , fixing his eye upon a dock that stood before him , and asking of the barkeeper , if it was not too slow . He , had not remained in this posture many minutes , when he was joined by a strange figure that waddled into the room , with a bundle of papers in his bosom , and the sweat running over his nose .