one o'clock
mused Bill , apparently addressing the crabs . `` I express my devotion in terms of endearment , and she babbles like a parrot of flour and butter ! '' `` If I do n't , you 'll have no croquettes , '' and Patty moulded the mixture into oval balls , and arranged them in a frying sieve . As the time grew shorter they worked away in earnest , and soon after one o'clock everything was ready . The finishing touches and the serving of the hot dishes were left to the butler and waitress , who were none too willing to do anything outside their own restricted sphere , but whom Patty cajoled by smiles , till they were her abject slaves . `` Now go and tidy yourself up , '' Patty said to Bill , `` and I will too , and see who can get down to the drawing-room first . '' `` Huh , I have n't to arrange a lot of furbelows .