a quarter past eleven
`` You guve it him tidy just at that last moment , sir . But , laws , sir , you should have let out at him at fust . What 's the use of clawing a man 's neck-collar ? '' It was then a quarter past eleven , but , nevertheless , Eames appeared at his office precisely at twelve . Crosbie had two engagements for that day ; one being his natural engagement to do his work at his office , and the other an engagement , which was now very often becoming as natural , to dine at St. John 's Wood with Lady Amelia Gazebee . It was manifest to him when he looked at himself in the glass that he could keep neither of these engagements . `` Oh , laws , Mr. Crosbie , '' the woman of the house exclaimed when she saw him .