eleven o'clock
It came about in this wise . His friends , having discovered him , had pointed out to him again his duty . The Signora -- a really excellent little woman so far as intention was concerned -- had seconded their endeavours , with the result that on a certain evening in autumn we of the house assembled all of us on the first floor to support them on the occasion of their final -- so we all deemed it then -- leave-taking . For eleven o'clock two four-wheeled cabs had been ordered , one to transport the O'Kelly with his belongings to Hampstead and respectability ; in the other the Signora would journey sorrowfully to the Tower Basin , there to join a circus company sailing for the Continent . I knocked at the door some quarter of an hour before the appointed hour of the party . I fancy the idea had originated with the Signora . `` Dear Willie has something to say to you , '' she had informed me that morning on the stairs .