six in the evening
The reverend gentleman , as he greeted Chiltern , pronounced his name with unction . His air of hospitality , of good-fellowship , of taking the world as he found it , could not have been improved upon . He made it apparent at once that nothing could surprise him . It was the most natural circumstance in life that two people should arrive at his house in an automobile at half-past six in the evening and wish to get married : if they chose this method instead of the one involving awnings and policemen and uncomfortably-arrayed relations and friends , it was none of Mr. White 's affair . He led them into the Gothic sanctum at the rear of the house where the famous sermons were written that shook the sounding-board of the temple where the gentleman preached , -- the sermons that sometimes got into the newspapers . Mr. White cleared his throat . `` I am -- very familiar with your name , Mr. Chiltern , '' he said , `` and it is a pleasure to be able to serve you , and the lady who is so shortly to be your wife .