six o'clock
Smiling , he rose from his desk , patted the bewildered Sinclair on the latter 's grizzled head , and then reached for his hat . `` I 'm dining out to-night , Sinclair , and I would n't be a kill-joy at the feast , for a ripe peach . Your confounded figures might make me gloomy ; so we 'll just reserve discussion of them till to-morrow morning . Be a sport , Sinclair , and for once in your life beat the six o'clock whistle . In other words , I suggest that you go home and rest for once . '' He left Sinclair staring at him rather stupidly . Colonel Pennington 's imported British butler showed Bryce into the Pennington living room at six-thirty , announcing him with due ceremony .