eleven o'clock
Recognizing Mrs. Bennett , Goddard , with a rueful glance at his immaculate boots , floundered through the mud to the side of the carriage . `` Good morning , Major . '' Mrs. Bennett held forth a slender hand in greeting . `` This is a nice predicament ; and I have an important engagement at eleven o'clock . '' `` It is too bad , '' sympathized Goddard . `` Still , the condition of the Avenue is due to a patriotic cause ; the passing back and forth of heavy artillery and cavalry all these years has made it like a ploughed field . '' `` Mud is not confined to this Avenue , '' sighed Mrs. Bennett .