four o'clock
`` Really , sir , '' observed the man , `` I 'm afraid -- on such very short notice -- '' `` Your card says , ` the shortest notice , ' '' rejoined Mr Handycock , with the confidence and authority of a man who is enabled to correct another by his own assertions . `` If you do not choose to undertake the work , another will . '' This silenced the man , who made his promise , took my measure , and departed ; and soon afterwards Mr Handycock also quitted the house . What with my grandfather and the parrot , and Mrs Handycock wondering how much money her husband had lost , running to the head of the stairs and talking to the cook , the day passed away pretty well till four o'clock ; when , as before , Mrs Handycock screamed , the cook screamed , the parrot screamed , and Mr Handycock rapped at the door , and was let in -- but not by me . He ascended the stair swith -LSB- sic -RSB- three bounds , and coming into the parlour , cried , `` Well , Nancy , my love , how are you ? '' Then stooping over her , `` Give me a kiss , old girl . I 'm as hungry as a hunter .