six o'clock
While he was paying the check , Palla drew on her gloves ; and , at the Madison Avenue door , stood chatting with him a moment longer before leaving for the canteen . Then , smilingly declining his taxi and offering her slender hand in adieu , she went westward on foot as usual . And Mr. Pawling 's directions to the chauffeur were whispered ones as though he did not care to have the world at large share in his knowledge of his own occult destination . * * * * * Palla 's duty at the canteen lasted until six o'clock that afternoon , and she hurried on her way home because people were dining there at seven-thirty . With the happy recollection that Jim , also , was dining with her , she ran lightly up the steps and into the house ; examined the flowers which stood in jars of water in the pantry , called for vases , arranged a centre-piece for the table , and carried other clusters of blossoms into the little drawing-room , and others still upstairs . Then she returned to criticise the table and arrange the name-cards . And , this accomplished , she ran upstairs again to her own room , where her maid was waiting .