Quarter past eleven
And an adorable thing it was , he decided -- that soft call of `` Good morning , merry gentleman , '' and the folding of her kimono-clad figure in his arms . He remembered , further , that he had often cut that little visit short , conveying the impression to her , even while he clasped her , of how busy he was . And he remembered , more than once , the certain little wistful shadow on her face as she slipped away . Quarter past eleven , and she had not come . He took down the receiver to telephone the dairy , and in the swift rush of women 's conversation , ere he hung up , he caught Paula 's voice : '' -- Bother Mr. Wade . Bring all the little Wades and come , if only for a couple of days -- '' Which was very strange of Paula . She had invariably welcomed the intervals of no guests , when she and he were left alone with each other for a day or for several days .