nearly five o'clock
One or two more of his tribe confirmed this pious falsehood , and clamored to have them put up again . `` Call the next lot , '' said the auctioneer , peremptorily . `` Make up your mind a little quicker next time , Mr. Isaacs ; you have been long enough at it to know the value of oak and moroccar . '' Mrs. Staines and her friend now started for Morley 's Hotel , but went round by Regent Street , whereby they got glued at Peter Robinson 's window , and nine other windows ; and it was nearly five o'clock when they reached Morley 's . As they came near the door of their sitting-room , Mrs. Staines heard somebody laughing and talking to her husband . The laugh , to her subtle ears , did not sound musical and genial , but keen , satirical , unpleasant ; so it was with some timidity she opened the door , and there sat the old chap with the twinkling eyes . Both parties stared at each other a moment .