seven o'clock
When informed that his wife 's presence was unnecessary and that his cousins were even then on their way down town and that there was no way to head them off , he blandly inquired if it would n't be possible to postpone the whole matter for a week or two , assuring the gentlemen that he would n't , for all the world , disturb Mrs. Bingle , who appeared to be sleeping comfortably for the first time in twenty-four hours . In fact , he informed them that he thought it would be a mistake to break the news to her while her cold was so bad ; as for himself , he did n't mind waiting a week or two -- not in the least -- if it was all the same to Mr. Sigsbee . It was Melissa who broke the news to Mrs. Bingle , and it was at once apparent that it was not a mistake to do so . The good lady improved so rapidly that she sent for the expensive Dr. Fiddler , dismissing the cheap Dr. Smith , and by seven o'clock that evening declared that she had never felt better in all of her life . `` I suppose you 'll fire me now , Mr. Bingle , '' Melissa had said dejectedly . `` With all that money , you 'll be wanting high-priced servants . '' `` Quite so , '' said Mr. Bingle magnificently .