one o'clock
Sometime soon she was going to have clothes as smart as any of these . Soon she would be one of these brilliant people , and have a life more exciting than any . Very soon -- for her apprenticeship was almost over ! Barney Palmer had these last few months , since he had discovered in Maggie a star who only needed coaching and then an opportunity , made it a practice to come for Maggie occasionally when one o'clock , New York 's curfew hour , dispersed the pleasure-seekers and ended Maggie 's day of work , or rather her day of intensive schooling for her greater life . On the night of his return from Chicago , which was a week after his break with Larry , Barney reported to take Maggie home . He was in swagger evening clothes and he asked the starter for a taxi ; with an almost lordly air and for the service of a white-gloved gesture to a chauffeur , he carelessly handed the starter -LRB- who , by the way , was a richer man than Barney -RRB- a crisp dollar bill . Barney was trying to make his best impression .