half past eight
`` No , mamma . '' Then she again turned furiously onto her husband . `` Why , you must be mad , utterly mad ! It is half past eight , and George has had no dinner ! '' He excused himself as best he could , for he had nearly lost his wits by the overwhelming scene and the explanation , and felt crushed by this ruin of his life . `` But , my dear , we were waiting for you , as I did not wish to dine without you . As you come home late every day , I expected you every moment . ''