three o'clock
-- I have never seen anything like it . He spans a tenth , nay , an eleventh , more easily than we do an octave . '' The object of Dove 's visit was , it transpired , to propose that Maurice should accompany him that evening to the theatre , where DIE WALKURE was to be performed ; and as , on this day , Dove had reasons for seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses , he suggested , out of the fulness of his heart , that they should also invite Madeleine to join them . Maurice was nothing loath to have the meeting with her over , and so , though it was not quite three o'clock , they went together to the MOZARTSTRASSE . They found Madeleine before her writing-table , which was strewn with closely written sheets . This was mail-day for America , she explained , and begged the young men to excuse her finishing an important letter to an American journalist , with whom she had once `` chummed up '' on a trip to Italy . `` One never knows when these people may be of use to one , '' she was accustomed to say .