three o'clock
`` Do you mind telling me what 's going on here ? It 's true that in the rush of more important business I 'd almost forgotten that a theatre is a place where they perform plays . '' `` It 's the dress-rehearsal , Mr. Machin , '' said the woman , startled and apologetic . `` But the dress-rehearsal was fixed for three o'clock , '' said he . `` It must have been finished three hours ago . '' `` I think they 've only just done the first act , '' the woman breathed . `` I know they did n't begin till seven .