eleven
o'clock
`` Several permanent officials would certainly faint on the spot . '' A sharp frost set in during the night , and the sky was brilliantly clear . After dinner , when the ladies had left the table , Lennard said to Mr Parmenter : `` I am going to renew my acquaintance with our celestial visitor to-night . I shall want a couple of hours to run over my calculations and verify the position of the comet up to date ; and then , say at eleven o'clock , I should like you and Lord Westerham to come up to the observatory and have a somewhat serious talk . '' The owner of the great reflector looked up quickly over his wine-glass and said : `` Look here , Mr Lennard , I guess this poor old country of yours has about enough serious matters on hand just now without worrying about comets . What 's the trouble now ? '' `` My dear sir , '' replied Lennard , gravely , `` this is a matter which not only England , but every other country in the world , will have to trouble about before very long . ''