The company pretty generally go out for a given time, and with a given sum in their pockets, which, in nine cases out often, admits of but little encroachment; and if the temptations of mixing in superior society and speculating in expensive novelties cause new demands on papas, or show mammas the impolicy of making them, nothing can be more probable than that a hasty retreat should be resolved on, the consequence of a "summons from some sick or dying friend, of the most pressing nature.
Source: wiktionary