six o'clock
His own part in the affair was merely , he explained , that of a messenger , sent to urge the invitation . Mrs. Clover willingly consented to come . Not a word passed between them with reference to their last conversation , but Mr. Gammon made it plain that he nursed no resentment , and the lady of the china shop behaved very amicably indeed . At six o'clock Polly came home to dress for the theatre . She left again , having spoken to no one . Soon afterwards Gammon , who in fact had watched for her departure , entered the house and held a conversation with Mrs. Bubb in the parlour , where already the table was laid for supper at half-past eight . Scarcely had eight struck when Mrs. Clover , who had alighted from an omnibus , sounded her pleasant rat-tat -- self-respecting , and such as did credit to the house , but with no suggestion of arrogance .