seven o'clock
It was my intention to spend a quiet interval reading one of my books , before going out somewhere to get some dinner . In pursuance of this plan I exchanged my boots for a pair of slippers and settled myself down comfortably in the only easy-chair in the room . In about ten minutes ' time , faithful to her word , Gertie ` Uggins brought me up an excellent cup of tea , and stimulated by this and the combined intelligence and amorousness of Mr. Wells 's hero , I succeeded in passing two or three very agreeable hours . At seven o'clock I roused myself rather reluctantly , put on my boots again , and indulged in the luxury of a wash and a clean collar . Then , after ringing the bell and informing Mrs. Oldbury that I should be out to dinner , I left the house with the pleasantly vague intention of wandering up West until I found some really attractive restaurant . It was a beautiful evening , more like June than the end of April ; and with a cigarette alight , I strolled slowly along Victoria Street , my mind busy over the various problems with which Providence had seen fit to surround me . I had got nearly as far as the Stores , when a sudden impulse took me to cross over and walk past our offices .