six
o'clock
I was brigaded once for three months with the Forth-Second , and capital fellows I found them . '' With a mind relieved , the Commandant walked off towards the Barracks , pausing on his way to pick up Miss Gabriel 's antimacassar-waistcoat , which he had taken the precaution to leave outside the gate . Three-quarters of an hour later he emerged in clean shirt and threadbare , but well-brushed , uniform , arrayed for Mr. and Mrs. Fossell 's whist-party . As he passed the Garrison gate , Mrs. Treacher , who sometimes acted deputy for her husband , began to ring the six o'clock bell . He halted and waited for her to finish . `` Mrs. Treacher , '' he said , `` can you tell me the price of flannel ? '' `` Flannel , '' answered Mrs. Treacher , `` is all prices , according to quality . ''