three o'clock
And the men were scarcely less affected , though they were better able to control their emotion . The joyous renunciation of five thousand dollars a year struck these hard men of business as something almost uncanny . They would have considered it the acme of folly in an ordinary man , but in a preacher they felt vaguely that it was admirable . When Deacon Hooper met his brother Deacons before the platform where the collection-plates were kept , he whispered , `` The meetin ' is at my house at three o'clock . Be on time . '' His tone was decided , as were also the nods which accepted the invitation . After the service Mr. Letgood withdrew quietly without going , as usual , amongst his congregation .