a few minutes after seven o'clock
An invitation to dine with the Dallams ' , in their own house , arrived a day or two after the tea which Honora had attended there . Although Lily had always been cordial , Honora thought this note couched in terms of unusual warmth . She was implored to come early , because Lily had so much to talk to her about which could n't be written on account of a splitting headache . In moderate obedience to this summons Honora arrived , on the evening in question , before the ornamental ironwork of Mrs. Dallam 's front door at a few minutes after seven o'clock . Honora paused in the spring twilight to contemplate the house , which stood out incongruously from its sombre , brownstone brothers and sisters with noisy basement kitchens . The Third Avenue Elevated , `` so handy for Sid , '' roared across the gap scarcely a block away ; and just as the door was opened the tightest of little blue broughams , pulled by a huge chestnut horse and driven by the tiniest of grooms in top boots , drew up at the curb . And out of it burst a resplendent lady -- Mrs. Dallam .