twenty-three o'clock
`` This when she coughs -- ten drops , '' he said , handing the bottles to the nun . `` And five drops of this once an hour , until her chest feels freer . '' He gave her minute directions , as far as he could , about the general treatment of the patient , which Maria repeated and got by heart . `` I will let you know before twenty-three o'clock what the cardinal says to the plan , '' she said . `` In this way you will be able to come up by daylight . '' As Dalrymple took his leave , he held out his hand , forgetting that he was in Italy . `` It is not our custom , '' said Maria Addolorata , thrusting each of her own hands into the opposite sleeve .