two o’clock
Meanwhile , the assembly awaited with impatience the decisive moment when Ivan Nikiforovitch should make his appearance and at length comply with the general desire that these worthy people should be reconciled to each other . Many were almost convinced that Ivan Nikiforovitch would not come . Even the chief of police offered to bet with one-eyed Ivan Ivanovitch that he would not come ; and only desisted when one-eyed Ivan Ivanovitch demanded that he should wager his lame foot against his own bad eye , at which the chief of police was greatly offended , and the company enjoyed a quiet laugh . No one had yet sat down to the table , although it was long past two o'clock , an hour before which in Mirgorod , even on ceremonial occasions , every one had already dined . No sooner did Anton Prokofievitch show himself in the doorway , then he was instantly surrounded . Anton Prokofievitch , in answer to all inquiries , shouted the all-decisive words , `` He will not come ! '' No sooner had he uttered them than a hailstorm of reproaches , scoldings , and , possibly , even fillips were about to descend upon his head for the ill success of his mission , when all at once the door opened , and -- Ivan Nikiforovitch entered .