seven o'clock
In truth Captain Baster was a little disappointed in Sir Maurice : he did not find him frankly responsive : polite -- yes ; indeed , politeness could go no further . But he lacked warmth . After all he had not pinned him down to the definite acceptance of a single invitation . When , at seven o'clock , he tore himself away with the hearty assurance that he would be back at nine sharp , he was not sure that he had made a bosom friend . He felt that the friendship might need clenching . As the front door shut behind him , Sir Maurice wiped his brow with the air of one who has paused from exhausting toil : `` I feel sticky -- positively sticky , '' he said . `` Oh , Erebus , you do have gummy friends !