half after four
-- this afternoon ! '' `` I should not have been surprised had I found him here . And now -- '' He glanced at his watch . `` It 's already half after four . '' `` Oh , and papa said he 'd be home early to-day ! -- though his custom is to come barely in time to dress for dinner . '' `` Hope Tom hit it off with him this morning -- but -- '' Lord James shook his head dubiously -- `` I fear he was not in a conciliatory mood . ''