three o'clock
Now , if thou art not too weary , tell me the story . '' As the recital afforded him the opportunities to give poetic expression to his present feeling , he accepted the suggestion gladly , and , being in the right mood , was singularly effective . Half the time listening she was in tears . It was past three o'clock when he finished . The audience then terminated . In no part of it had her manner been more gracious than when she conducted him along the portico , or her loveliness so overwhelming as when she bade him adieu at the head of the steps . Standing between columns near the sedilium , she saw him gain his boat , take something from the sitting-box , step ashore again , and return to her gate , where he remained awhile pounding with a stone .