half past twelve
He furiously attacked one task after another , only to abandon each in turn . His mind , which had always been his obedient , very humble servant , absolutely refused to obey . He turned everything over to his associates or to subordinates , fighting all morning against the longing to send for her . At half past twelve he strode out of the office , putting on the air of the big man absorbed in big affairs . He descended to the street . But instead of going up town to keep an appointment at a business lunch he hung round the entrance to the opposite building . She did not appear until one o'clock .