one o'clock
`` The interesting thing about that ball , '' said Travers , as he and Van Bibber walked home that night , `` is the fact that those hotel people are getting a galaxy of stars to amuse them for nothing who would n't exhibit themselves at a Fifth Avenue dance for all the money in Wall Street . And the joke of it is going to be that the servants will vastly prefer the banjo solo by hall-boy Number Eight . '' Lyric Hall lies just this side of the Forty-second Street station along the line of the Sixth Avenue Elevated road , and you can look into its windows from the passing train . It was after one o'clock when the invited guests and their friends pushed open the storm-doors and were recognized by the anxious committee-men who were taking tickets at the top of the stairs . The committee-men fled in different directions , shouting for Mr. Paul , and Mr. Paul arrived beaming with delight and moisture , and presented a huge bouquet to Mrs. West , and welcomed her friends with hospitable warmth . Mrs. West and Miss Chamberlain took off their hats and the men gave up their coats , not without misgivings , to a sleepy young man who said pleasantly , as he dragged them into the coat-room window , `` that they would be playing in great luck if they ever saw them again . '' `` I do n't need to give you no checks , '' he explained : `` just ask for the coats with real fur on 'em .