nearly
twelve o’clock
` Practise , ' said Mr Wopples , waving a fork with a piece of cold beef at the end of it , ` makes perfect . My dear Vandeloup , if you will permit me to call you so , my son Buckstone is truly a wonderful critic . ' Vandeloup smiled at this , and came to the conclusion that the Wopples family was a mutual admiration society . However , as it was now nearly twelve o'clock , he rose to take his leave . ` Oh , you 're not going yet , ' said Mr Wopples , upon which all the family echoed , ` Surely , not yet , ' in a most hospitable manner . ` I must , ' said Vandeloup , with a smile . ` I know Madame will excuse me , ' with a bow to Mrs Wopples , who thereupon fluttered nervously ; ` but I have to be up very early in the morning . '