two o'clock in the
   afternoon
And it 's some joint , believe me , with the dark old mahogany trim and furniture and the dull rich effects in azure and gold ; and the Beluch carpets full of sombre purple and dusky fire , and the white cat on the window-sill watching you put of its sapphire blue eyes . `` And Athalie ! curled up on her deep , soft divan , nibbling sweetmeats and listening to a dozen men -- for there are usually as many as that who drop in at one time or another after business is over , and during the evening , unless Athalie is dining out , which she often does , damn it ! `` Business hours for her begin at two o'clock in the afternoon ; and last until five . She could make a lot more money than she does if she opened earlier . I told her this , once , but she said that she was determined to educate herself . `` And it seems that she studies French , Italian , German , piano and vocal music ; and has some down-and-out old hen read with her .