half
past six
-- One day , when he had not returned home exactly at the appointed minute , she received him with a frown , -- such as would have made even Mars himself recoil , if Mars could have beheld such a frown upon the brow of his Venus . `` Dinner has been kept waiting for you this hour , my dear . '' `` I am very sorry for it ; but why did you wait , my dear ? I am really very sorry I am so late , but -LRB- looking at his watch -RRB- it is only half past six by me . '' `` It is seven by me . '' They presented their watches to each other ; he , in an apologetical , she , in a reproachful attitude . `` I rather think you are too fast , my dear , '' said the gentleman .