five o'clock
Studies he hated , but tennis , polo , cricket , riding and dancing were things he loved and excelled in . Much of his boyhood had been spent at one of those healthy , hearty English schools where all that would cultivate physical and mental manhood was assiduously practiced , and all that would militate against them was as rigorously `` tabooed . '' At the coming of his twentieth birthday that summer his father had handed him his check for five thousand dollars -- the paternal expression of satisfaction that his boy had never smoked pipe , cigar or cigarette -- and the same week `` Gov '' had carried off the blue ribbon with the racquet , and the second prize with the single sculls . It was during the `` exams , '' the first week in June , when dropping in for five o'clock tea on some girls whom he had known for years , he was presented to this witching little creature whose name he did n't even catch . `` We met her away out at an army post in Wyoming when papa took us to California last year , '' was whispered to him , `` and they entertained us so cordially , and of course we said if ever you come to New York you must be sure to let us know -- and she did -- but -- '' and there his informant paused , dubious . Other callers came in and it began to rain -- a sudden , drenching shower , and the little stranger from the far West saw plainly enough that her hostesses , though presenting their friends after our cheery American fashion , were unable to show her further attention , and the newly presented -- almost all women , said `` so very pleased '' but failed to look it , or otherwise to manifest their pleasure . She _ could n't _ go in the rain .