five o’clock
I felt that I must make the most perfect possible arrangements for my tea party . The violence of my invitations would naturally raise Lalage 's expectations to the highest pitch . I sent for the head waiter , who had struck me as an able and intelligent man . `` I am expecting some ladies this afternoon , '' I said , `` and I shall have tea in my sitting room at five o'clock . I want everything to be as nice as possible , fresh flowers and that kind of thing . '' The man nodded sympathetically and gave me the impression that long practice had familiarized him with the procedure of tea parties for ladies . `` These ladies are young , '' I said , `` quite young , and so the cakes must be of the most sumptuous possible kind , not ordinary slices cut off large cakes , but small creations , each complete in itself and wrapped in a little paper frill .