half past one
When we had finished I thought for a moment that she showed a desire to conceal the invasion by washing the dishes , but she put it aside , and we all went upstairs together . A little shopping being in order , Evan took himself off in the morning , leaving Miss Lavinia and me to prowl , after we had promised to meet him at a downtown restaurant at one . Little boys are delightful things to shop for , -- there is no matching this and that , no getting a yard too much or too little , everything is substantial and straight away , and all you have to do when the bundles are sent home by express is to strengthen the sewing on of buttons and reinforce the seats and knees of everyday pantikins from the inside . We strolled about slowly , and at half past one were quite ready to sit still and not only eat our lunch but watch business mankind eat his . If any one wishes to feel the clutch and motive power of the Whirlpool let him go to the Mazarin any time between twelve-thirty and two o'clock . The streets themselves are surging with men , all hurrying first in one direction , then another , until it seems as if there either must be a fire somewhere , or else a riot afoot . The doors of the restaurant open and shut incessantly , corks pop , knives and forks rattle , everything is being served from a sandwich and a glass of beer to an elaborate repast with a wine to every course , while through and above it all the stress of business is felt .