the hour of seven
But we have nothing to do with the constitutionally luckless : the calamitous history of a simple empty stomach is enough . Here the tragedy is palpable . Indeed , too sadly so , and I dare apply but a flash of the microscope to the rageing dilemmas of this animalcule . Five and twenty minutes had signalled their departure from the hour of seven , when Algernon pronounced his final verdict upon Edward 's conduct by leaving the Club . He returned to it a quarter of an hour later , and lingered on in desperate mood till eight . He had neither watch in his pocket , nor ring on his finger , nor disposable stud in his shirt . The sum of twenty-one pence was in his possession , and , I ask you , as he asked himself , how is a gentleman to dine upon that ?