about a quarter past nine
He paused a moment and then made a remark : `` Even the smaller houses wo n't see you without appointment after lunch . '' Philip looked at the assistants . Some were draping chintzes and cretonnes , and others , his neighbour told him were preparing country orders that had come in by post . At about a quarter past nine the buyer arrived . He heard one of the men who were waiting say to another that it was Mr. Gibbons . He was middle-aged , short and corpulent , with a black beard and dark , greasy hair . He had brisk movements and a clever face .