three o'clock
At last he looked at his watch , and found that it was about time to go and dress . `` Well , you _ have _ made yourself smart , '' commented Aunt Charlotte complacently , as Austin , sprucely attired in a pale flannel suit , with a lilac tie and a dark-red rose in his button-hole , came into the morning-room to say good-bye . `` But why need you have dressed so early ? Our friends are n't coming till three o'clock at the very earliest , and it 's not much more than twelve -- at least , so says my watch . You need n't have changed till after lunch , at any rate . '' `` My dear auntie , have you forgotten ? '' asked Austin , in innocent surprise .