half past six
... One might really think that it was one o'clock in the morning , and that I spent my nights away from home . '' `` Certainly not , my dear . I said _ late _ , because I could find no other word . You said you should be back at half past six , and you returned at half past eight . That was surely being late ! I understand it perfectly well ... I am not at all surprised ... even . But ... but ... I can hardly use any other word . ''