five o'clock
The blinds of its principal windows were down -- not because of the war ; they were often down , for at least four other houses disputed with Lechford House the honour of sheltering the Marquis and his wife and their sole surviving child . Above the roof a wire platform for the catching of bombs had given the mansion a somewhat ridiculous appearance , but otherwise Lechford House managed to look as though it had never heard of the European War . One half of the black entrance swung open , and a middle-aged gentleman dressed like Lord Lechford 's stockbroker , but who was in reality his butler , said in answer to G.J. 's enquiry : `` Lady Queenie is not at home , sir . '' `` But it is five o'clock , '' protested G.J. , suddenly sick of Queen 's impudent unreliability . `` And I have an appointment with her at five . '' The butler 's face relaxed ever so little from its occupational inhumanity of a suet pudding ; the spirit of compassion seemed to inform it for an instant . `` Her ladyship went out about a quarter of an hour ago , sir . ''