midnight
I really do n't see them often but he came to my assistance once at a critical time . And now that Praddy 's all-powerful parlour-maid 's definitely left us , I will tell you _ my _ story . '' So she does , between five and half-past six , almost without interruption from the spell-bound Frank -- who says it licks any novel he ever read , and she ought to turn it into a novel -- with a happy ending -- or from Praed who is at times a little somnolent . Then at half-past six , the practical Frank says : `` Look here , you chaps , I could go on listening till midnight , but what 's the matter with a bit of dinner ? I dare say Praddy 's parlour-maid might turn sour if we asked her at a moment 's notice to find dinner for three . Why not come out and dine with me at the Hans Crescent Hotel ? Close by .