six o'clock
Mr. James felt a glow of virtue -- would that he could grow daily and hourly , and more and more toward the perfect fox . Then , indeed , and not till then would he be able to live truly up to his second-hand books . `` Having tea with Iris ; well -- '' The speaker looked as if it required some effort to receive this statement with resignation . `` He always does at six o'clock . Why should n't he ? '' asked Mr. James . `` Because , James , he spends the time in cockering up that gal whom he 's ruined and spoiled -- him and the old nigger between them -- so that her mind is poisoned against her lawful relations , and nothing will content her but coming into all the old man 's money , instead of going share and share alike , as a cousin should , and especially a she-cousin , while there 's a biscuit left in the locker and a drop of rum in the cask . ''