eight o’clock
On reaching home Alice found a telegram from her husband . ` Shall bring three friends to dinner . Be ready for us at half-past seven . ' Yet he had assured her that he would dine quietly alone with her at eight o'clock . Alice , who was weary of the kind of men her husband constantly brought , felt it as a bitter disappointment . Besides , it was already after six , and there were no provisions in the house . But for her life she durst not cause Rodman annoyance by offering a late or insufficient dinner .