about three o'clock in the afternoon
`` Well , you must do as you like , I suppose . '' A moment 's reflection had convinced the good lady that she had really no sound reason to advance against the proposal her brother had made ; and she knew that , in any case , he would do as he thought fit . Accordingly a messenger was despatched for Tommy Dudgeon with all speed ; and the little huckster turned over to his brother , without compunction , an important customer whom he happened to be serving at the time , and hurried away to the bedside of his honoured friend . The servant who , in obedience to orders received , showed Tommy up at once to `` Cobbler '' Horn 's room , handed in at the same time a telegram which had just arrived from Mr. Burton , saying that he and Mrs. Burton might be expected about three o'clock in the afternoon . `` Cobbler '' Horn placed the pink paper on the little table by his bedside , and turned to Tommy , who stood just within the doorway , nervously twisting his hat between his hands . `` Come in , Tommy , come in ! '' said `` the Golden Shoemaker , '' encouragingly , `` you see I am almost well . ''