half past seven
said he . `` You do n't want to go to Paris , to Rome , -- to make the grand tour like a gentleman , in short , as I did long before I was your age ? '' `` No , sir , '' said Mr. James . `` Then , sir , by gad , '' said Mr. James Bowdoin , `` you may come down at half past seven -- and -- and -- sweep out the office ! '' So it happened that Mr. James was in the counting-room that day ; but that he happened also to be alone requires further explanation . Two glasses of the old Governor Bowdoin white port had been left untasted on the dinner-table the night before , -- the one , that meant for Mr. James Bowdoin , who had himself swept out of the room as he made that last remark about sweeping out the office ; the other , that of his son , Mr. James , who had instantly gone out by the other door , and betaken himself for sympathy to the home of Miss Abigail Dowse , which stood on Fort Hill , close by , where the sea breezes blew fresh through the white June roses , and Mr. James found her walking in the garden path . `` You must tell him , '' said Miss Dowse , when Mr. James had recounted his late conversation to her , after such preliminary ceremonies as were proper -- under the circumstances .