five o'clock
Considering her age , her activity in playing the hostess was remarkable . On the other hand , the `` at homes '' were most respectable , and the music remained `` classical ; '' not an echo of Offenbach or Strauss ; the conversation was restrained and decorous and the scandal delicately dressed to offend no ear . Not all were old who came to the château , and the foreigners were numerous to give variety to the gatherings ; but the white neck-cloth and black coat suppressed gaiety in even the rising youth , who were destined for places under government or on boards of finance and commerce . It may be judged that an afternoon spent in such company was little change to Madame Clemenceau , and that the five o'clock tea , initiated from the English , was a kind of penitential drink . But she became a habitué , and took a very natural liking to hear again the anecdotes indicating how matters moved in Germany and Russia , where her childhood and early girlhood had passed . One evening , she arrived late . She was exasperated : Antonino had imbibed his master 's imperturbability and seemed to meet her advances with rebuking chilliness .