few
minutes after six o’clock
But , confound it , how cranky I am getting -- I must be tremendously hungry . True , it 's past six . So now for my suit of sable , and then to dinner . Punctual to my appointment with O'Flaherty , I found myself a very few minutes after six o'clock at Mrs. Clanfrizzle 's door . My very authoritative summons at the bell was answered by the appearance of a young , pale-faced invalid , in a suit of livery the taste of which bore a very unpleasant resemblance to the one I so lately figured in . It was with considerable difficulty I persuaded this functionary to permit my carrying my hat with me to the drawing-room , a species of caution on my part -- as he esteemed it -- savouring much of distrust . This point however , I carried , and followed him up a very ill-lighted stair to the drawing-room ; here I was announced by some faint resemblance to my real name , but sufficiently near to bring my friend Tom at once to meet me , who immediately congratulated me on my fortune in coming off so well , for that the person who preceded me , Mr. Jones Blennerhasset , had been just announced as Mr. Blatherhasit -- a change the gentleman himself was not disposed to adopt -- `` But come along , Harry , while we are waiting for Daly , let me make you known to some of our party ; this , you must know , is a boarding-house , and always has some capital fun -- queerest people you ever met -- I have only one hint -- cut every man , woman , and child of them , if you meet them hereafter -- I do it myself , though I have lived here these six months . ''