nearly two o'clock
Mr. Lott glared and glowered , but , with all that , had something in his face which hinted softness . The dialogue did not continue much longer ; it ended with a promise from Mrs. Bowles to let her father know whether her husband succeeded or not in re-establishing himself . Thereupon they shook hands without a word , and Mr. Lott left the house . He returned to the City , and , it being now nearly two o'clock , made a hearty meal . When he was in the street again , he remembered the birthday present he wished to buy for his nephew , and for half an hour he rambled vaguely , staring into shop-windows . At length something caught his eye ; it was a row of riding-whips , mounted in silver ; just the thing , he said to himself , to please a lad who would perhaps ride to hounds next winter . He stepped in , chose carefully , and made the purchase .