seven o'clock
That gentleman had twice dined with Lord Vargrave , and Lord Vargrave had twice dined with him . The occasion of the present more familiar entertainment was in a letter from Mr. Douce , begging to see Lord Vargrave on particular business ; and Vargrave , who by no means liked the word _ business _ from a gentleman to whom he owed money , thought that it would go off more smoothly if sprinkled with champagne . Accordingly , he begged `` My dear Mr. Douce '' to excuse ceremony , and dine with him on Thursday at seven o'clock , -- he was really so busy all the mornings . At seven o'clock , Mr. Douce came . The moment he entered Vargrave called out , at the top of his voice , `` Dinner immediately ! '' And as the little man bowed and shuffled , and fidgeted and wriggled -LRB- while Vargrave shook him by the hand -RRB- , as if he thought he was going himself to be spitted , his host said , `` With your leave , we 'll postpone the budget till after dinner . It is the fashion nowadays to postpone budgets as long as we can , -- eh ?