about a quarter to eight
I read the proofs with an admiration strongly tinctured with awe , and found it lacking in one particular only : no mention was made of Roland Barnette 's first open-faced suit . Roland had ordered it from a clothing-house in Chicago , and it arrived just in time . Having heard all about it from Roland 's own lips -LRB- they dilated upon the matter to Watty the tailor , just beneath my window -RRB- , I sort of hung round downtown Saturday evening in the hope of catching a glimpse of it , and was not disappointed . I was loitering in Graham 's when Roland sauntered nonchalantly in at about a quarter to eight and called for a pack of `` Sweets . '' Sam served him , and Duncan , happily for him disengaged at the moment , after one look at Roland retired precipitately behind the prescription counter -- overcome , I judged from Roland 's triumphant smirk , by deepest chagrin . Well , thought I , might he have been : he could never , by whatever wildest endeavour , have approximated Roland 's splendour . The coat was bob-tailed -LRB- at least , so Watty described it within my hearing -RRB- and curiously double-breasted , caught together at the waist with a single button , thus revealing a shining expanse of very stiff shirt-bosom ; which creaked , for some reason .