three o'clock
Bouguereau was conceived of by many as one of those dastards of art who were endeavoring to corrupt by their talent the morals of the world ; there was a cry raised that the thing should be suppressed ; and as is always the case in all such outbursts of special class opposition , the interest of the general public was aroused . Eugene was one of those who noted the discussion . He had never seen a picture by Bouguereau or , indeed , an original nude by any other artist . Being usually at liberty after three o'clock , he was free to visit some of these things , and having found it possible to do his work in good clothes he had come to wear his best suit every day . He was a fairly presentable youth with a solemn mien , and his request to be shown anything in any art store would have aroused no surprise . He looked as though he belonged to the intellectual and artistic classes . Not being sure of what reception would be accorded one so young -- he was now nearing twenty -- he nevertheless ventured to stop at the gallery where the Bouguereau was being exhibited and ask to see it .