eleven o'clock
He was out of the chair before he ceased speaking , his heels striking the floor , bustling about in his prompt , exact manner , examining the few curios and keepsakes on the mantel and tables , running his eyes over the rows of bindings lining the small bookcase ; his hand on Jack 's shoulder whenever the boy opened some favorite author to hunt for a passage to read aloud to Peter , listening with delight , whether the quotation was old or new to him . Jack , suddenly remembering that his guest was standing , tried to lead him back to his seat by the fire , but Peter would have none of it . `` No -- too late . Why , bless me , it 's after eleven o'clock ! Hear the music -- they are still at it . Now I 'm going to insist that you go down and have a turn around the room yourself ; there were such a lot of pretty girls when I came in . '' `` Too late for that , too , '' laughed Jack , merry once more .