five o’clock in the afternoon
that man , without his glasses , must look funny enough in a dressing-gown ! '' thought Celestine , `` but the harpoon is in his back and he 'll tow me where I want to go ; I am sure now of that invitation . He has played his part in my comedy . '' When , at five o'clock in the afternoon , Rabourdin came home to dress for dinner , his wife presided at his toilet and presently laid before him the fatal memorandum which , like the slipper in the Arabian Nights , the luckless man was fated to meet at every turn . `` Who gave you that ? '' he asked , thunderstruck . `` Monsieur des Lupeaulx . ''