nearly five o'clock
She gave him her eyes now . `` Really , '' he assured her . `` Ah , I do n't believe you mean that ! '' `` But indeed I do ... '' It was not until nearly five o'clock that he was given a chance to escape . He had , even then , to refuse inflexibly an invitation to stay to supper . Minta Lockwood -- an expansive woman , generously convex -- almost smothered him with appreciation of his thanks . She held his hand in a large , moist palm and beamed upon him , saying : `` Now ' t you know the way , Mr. Duncan ... '' `` Yes , '' Blinky insisted , blinking roguishly , `` drop in any time .