about eleven in the morning
Aunt Caroline had interrupted , this morning , at a very point of achievement toward which I had been working through the usual alternations of enjoyment and exasperation , elevation and dejection that attend most workmen . Pausing only to set my alarm-clock , I hurried into recording what I had found , in the tangible form of paper and ink . I always set the alarm-clock when I have an engagement , warned by dire experiences . Aunt Caroline had summoned me about eleven in the morning . When the strident voice of the clock again aroused me , I had just time to dress and reach the Grand Central by half-past four . I recognized that I was hungry , that the vicinity was snowed over with sheets of paper , that the piano keys had acquired another inkstain , and my pipe had charred another black spot on the desk top . Well , it had been a good day ; and Phillida 's tea would have to be my belated luncheon or early dinner .