about five
o'clock in the afternoon
This was as regards society women . As for work-girls and serving-maids , Don Serapio 's gallantries did not stop with compliments . He was regarded as one of the most formidable and successful of seducers among such , and it was a matter of common knowledge in Nieva that more than one , and more than two , had had seriously to complain of his behavior , so that it brought about his head a tremendous scandal which he had hastened to hush with the fulness of his locker . As a general thing he led a regular life , rising very early , going to his factory to attend to his accounts and to inspect the spicing of his fish and oysters , and coming home about five o'clock in the afternoon to wash himself and dress for his promenade or his calls , which were not few , and which always ended at eleven o'clock in the evening . The only reading for which he cared was that of detective stories . Don Serapio 's voice was a trifle disagreeable . As one of the young wags among those clustering about the door said , no one could tell for a certainty if it were tenor , baritone , or bass .