eight o'clock
Admirable , certainly , as was this morality and proverbial wisdom , and although this last axiom was very characteristic of my friend Hop Sing , who was that most sombre of all humorists , a Chinese philosopher , I must confess , that , even after a very free translation , I was at a loss to make any immediate application of the message . Luckily I discovered a third enclosure in the shape of a little note in English , and Hop Sing 's own commercial hand . It ran thus : -- `` The pleasure of your company is requested at No . -- Sacramento Street , on Friday evening at eight o'clock . A cup of tea at nine , -- sharp . This explained all . It meant a visit to Hop Sing 's warehouse , the opening and exhibition of some rare Chinese novelties and curios , a chat in the back office , a cup of tea of a perfection unknown beyond these sacred precincts , cigars , and a visit to the Chinese theatre or temple .