Four o'clock
said Mr. Swann , mildly . Hardy played with his pen . The senior partner had been amusing himself at his expense for some time , and in the hope of a favour at his hands he had endured it with unusual patience . `` Four o'clock , '' murmured the senior partner ; `` had n't you better see about making yourself presentable , Hardy ? '' `` Thanks , '' said the other , with alacrity , as he took off his coat and crossed over to the little washstand . In five minutes he had finished his toilet and , giving his partner a little friendly pat on the shoulder , locked up his desk . `` Well ? ''