five o'clock
A convulsive scream and a frantic clawing gesture in the direction of her daughter was the immediate reaction , much to the confusion of the codfish , which was only just saved by Nancy from a premature end upon the hearth . Following the rescue , the heroine , who had some shopping to do , began making motions of departure . `` You must come as soon as you can after dinner to have Tom explain what you are to do . Gumgum thinks we ought to have a rehearsal , but Tom has a five o'clock , and I do n't think it 's necessary anyway . He 's really awfully funny and clever , Nancy , and you must like him . '' `` I hate clever people . I have nothing to say to them .