six o'clock
Get ready ; make yourself beautiful -- though you 're always that . We 'll dine early , as Piers has to leave us at nine o'clock . '' Outcries and gesticulations confirmed the happy thought . Tea over , Piers was dismissed to the bedroom -LRB- very bare and uncomfortable , this -RRB- to don his evening suit , and by six o'clock the trio set forth . They drove in a cab to festive regions , and , as one to the manner born , Alexander made speedy arrangements for their banquet . An odd-looking party ; the young man 's ceremonious garb and not ungraceful figure contrasting with his brother 's aspect of Bohemian carelessness and jollity , whilst Bridget , adorned in striking colours , would have passed for anything you like but a legitimate and devoted spouse . Once again did Piers stifle his conscience in face of the exhilarating bottle ; indeed , he drank deliberately to drown his troubles , and before the second course had already to some extent succeeded .