five o'clock in the afternoon
he asked . As I hesitated , he added , tactfully , `` Perhaps you would let me go with you ? '' Here was indeed a startling proposition ! His costume , his long hair -- there were many things about him not adapted to Broadway at five o'clock in the afternoon ! But what could I say ? It would be rude to call attention to his peculiarities . All I could manage was to stammer : `` I thought you belonged in the church . ''