Four o'clock
said Mr. Swann , mildly . Hardy played with his pen . The senior partner had been amusing himself at his expense for some time , and in the hope of a favour at his hands he had endured it with unusual patience . `` Four o'clock , '' murmured the senior partner ; `` had n't you better see about making yourself presentable , Hardy ? '' -LSB- Illustration : `` Had n't you better see about making yourself presentable , Hardy ? '' -RSB- `` Thanks , '' said the other , with alacrity , as he took off his coat and crossed over to the little washstand . In five minutes he had finished his toilet and , giving his partner a little friendly pat on the shoulder , locked up his desk .