three o'clock
I 'm out here trying to do my duty and duty is always unpleasant . I do n't want to be a kill-joy , but do n't give me more of that side of your character than you can help . It -- it makes me sick , mother ... '' -LSB- Mrs. Warren -- or Madame Varennes -- whimpers a little , but soon cheers up , rings the bell for her maid preparatory to dressing and being the business woman over her preparations for departure . She notes the address of Vivie 's hotel and promises to call for her there in the _ auto _ at three o'clock . Vivie leaves her , descends the richly carpeted stairs -- the lift is worked by an odiously pretty , little , plump soubrette dressed as a page boy -- and goes out into the street . Several lounging men stare hard at her , but decide she is too English , too plainly dressed , and a little too old to neddle with . This last consideration is apparent to Vivie 's intelligence and she muses on it with a wistful little smile , half humour , half regret .