nearly seven o'clock
`` Stand-offish to the last degree -- as though he believed he could handle Joe all by himself ! '' she thought in annoyance . At last she sent for him one day and gave him quite a piece of her mind ; and although not fully successful , she at least made him acquiesce in the plan she and Sally had concocted for a little gathering to take place one night the following week . It was nearly seven o'clock upon the evening in question ; and in her room , at her dressing-table , Ethel was completing her toilet . They were going to dine with the Crothers ' , and Joe was nervous about it . `` Come on , Ethel , hurry up ! '' `` Yes , love , I 'm almost ready now .