the hour of seven
`` I hoped he 'd vanished for good . We shall want all the diplomacy that we 've got stored away to deal with this . '' Mr. Trew could scarcely be suspected of exceeding his instructions ; he had , upon his return , given privately an account of the words used , with frequent use of the phrases , `` I says to him , '' and `` He says to me . '' But as evenings of the week went by , and other girls at Hilbert 's , on leaving at the hour of seven , were met by courageous youths near the door , and by shyer lads at a more reticent spot -LRB- some of these took ambush in doorways , affecting to read cricket results in the evening paper -RRB- , then Gertie Higham began to wonder whether the message had been communicated in the precise tone and manner that she had given it . The blue pinafored girls , stitching gold thread in the workroom at Hilbert 's , cultivated little reserve , and when they had occasion to enter the office they sometimes told her of young men encountered -LRB- say -RRB- at a dance , of ardent protestations of love , faithful promises to meet again . `` And from that day to this , '' the accounts finished , `` not so much as a sign of his lordship . '' There was encouragement in the thought that he knew the number in Great Titchfield Street ; was aware that she walked thence to Praed Street .