nine o'clock
According to the posters there was a gigantic attraction every week at the Empire , but Edward Henry happened to know that this week the attraction was indeed somewhat out of the common . And to-night was Friday , the fashionable night for the bloods and the modishness of the Five Towns . He looked at the church clock and then at his watch . He would be in time for the `` second house , '' which started at nine o'clock . At the same moment an electric tram-car came thundering up out of Bursley . He boarded it and was saluted by the conductor . Remaining on the platform he lit a cigarette and tried to feel cheerful .