ten
o’clock in the morning
By the time she drew her broidered shawl round her broad shoulders , she felt that she was about to perform a deed of high morality . She put on a pair of dark mauve gloves , secured a thick veil to her bonnet ; and before leaving the room she double-locked the secretaire , with a hopeful expression on her face which seemed to say that that much worried piece of furniture would at last be able to sleep in peace again . Quenu was exhibiting his white paunch at the shop door when his wife came down . He was surprised to see her going out in full dress at ten o'clock in the morning . `` Hallo ! Where are you off to ? '' he asked .