half past eleven
`` It will brace him for the rest of his fall term , '' thought Randolph , `` and me for my confounded shopping . And during some one of our boat-rides or rambles , I shall tell him of my plans for the winter . '' The departure , it was agreed upon , should take place late on Friday afternoon . On Friday , at half past eleven , Randolph at his office in the city , received a long-distance call from Churchton . Cope announced , with a breathless particularity not altogether disassociated from self-conscious gaucherie , that he should be unable to go . Some unexpected work had been suddenly thrown upon him ... . He rather thought that one or two of his family might be coming to town for over Sunday ... .