two o'clock in the
afternoon
So when the major saw Dr. Portman , who asked anxiously regarding the issue of his battle with the dragon , Mr. Pendennis did not care to inform the divine of the general 's insolent behavior , but stated that the affair was a very ugly and disagreeable one , and that it was by no means over yet . He enjoined Doctor and Mrs. Portman to say nothing about the business at Fairoaks ; whither he contented himself with dispatching the note we have before mentioned . And then he returned to his hotel , where he vented his wrath upon Mr. Morgan , his valet , `` dammin and cussin up stairs and down stairs , '' as that gentleman observed to Mr. Foker 's man , in whose company he partook of dinner in the servants ' room of the George . The servant carried the news to his master ; and Mr. Foker having finished his breakfast about this time , it being two o'clock in the afternoon , remembered that he was anxious to know the result of the interview between his two friends , and having inquired the number of the major 's sitting-room , went over in his brocade dressing-gown , and knocked for admission . Major Pendennis had some business , as he had stated , respecting a lease of the widow 's , about which he was desirous of consulting old Mr. Tatham , the lawyer , who had been his brother 's man of business , and who had a branch-office at Clavering , where he and his son attended market and other days three or four in the week . This gentleman and his client were now in consultation when Mr. Foker showed his grand dressing-gown and embroidered skull-cap at Major Pendennis 's door . Seeing the major engaged with papers and red-tape , and an old man with a white head , the modest youth was for drawing back -- and said , `` O , you 're busy -- call again another time . ''