Half past seven
He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue , and ordered a sirloin steak . It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a common steak , and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal . He did n't go back to selling papers , for he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the position of a classical teacher -- the post for which he was about to apply . Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent . The house was of brown stone , high stoop , and four stories in height . It was such a house as only a rich man could occupy . He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from the dining room .