about ten o'clock
Its distinctive characteristics , above any of its fellows , is a vulgarity so profound , that the connoisseur or student in that branch of mental culture thinks that here at last he has reached the lowest depths . For this reason one shrinks from actually naming it , because it might become fashionable , and then , if it fondly tried to change its character to suit its changed audience , it might entirely lose its present charm , and become simply commonplace . Joe Gallop stood in the doorway of this hall , a few days after the Tempting of Mr. James . It was about ten o'clock , when the entertainments were in full blast . He had a cigarette between his lips , as becomes a young man of fashion , but it had gone out , and he was thinking of something . To judge from the cunning look in his eyes , it was something not immediately connected with the good of his fellow-creatures . Presently the music of the orchestra ceased , and certain female acrobats , who had been `` contorting '' themselves fearfully and horribly for a quarter of an hour upon the stage , kissed their hands , which were as hard as ropes , from the nature of their profession , and smiled a fond farewell .