two o'clock sharp
But here again Mr. Pope was tactful . He divined that his patron was suffering ; that the wound needed , for the moment , solitude and silence to ease its smart . He was sorry to deprive the ladies of such a pleasure ; but , for his part , business called him back to Garland Town . He had , he regretted to say , an engagement at two o'clock sharp . To be sure , if the ladies chose to stay , he could send back the boat for them ... . But this he said knowing that his wife was thoroughly frightened , and that -LRB- as she herself put it later -RRB- wild horses would not induce her to remain , lacking his protection . The Lord Proprietor escorted his visitors down to the landing quay and there helped the ladies to embark .