about half past eleven
Nobody made any reply . He bent over the litter . Above the faint tinkle of shattered porcelain dropping upon the lacquered tray he heard his wife 's voice cloying the air with unpleasant sweetness as she said : `` Oh yes , Mr. Hilmer , you were telling us about the time you fought a man with a dirk knife ... for a half loaf of bread . '' When the Hilmers left , about half past eleven , Starratt went down to the curb with them , on the pretext of looking at Hilmer 's new car . It proved to be a very late and very luxurious model . `` Is it insured ? '' asked Starratt , as he lifted Mrs. Hilmer in .