half past seven
Oh My had partly initiated him in particular things the preceding day and had learned that , after the waking cup of coffee , he preferred to breakfast at table , rather than in bed . Also , Oh My had warned him that breakfast at table was an irregular affair , anywhere between seven and nine , and that the breakfasters merely drifted in at their convenience . If he wanted a horse , or if he wanted a swim or a motor car , or any ranch medium or utility he desired , Oh My informed him , all he had to do was to call for it . Arriving in the breakfast room at half past seven , Graham found himself just in time to say good-by to the _ Gazette _ man and the Idaho buyer , who , finishing , were just ready to catch the ranch machine that connected at Eldorado with the morning train for San Francisco . He sat alone , being perfectly invited by a perfect Chinese servant to order as he pleased , and found himself served with his first desire -- an ice-cold , sherried grapefruit , which , the table-boy proudly informed him , was `` grown on the ranch . '' Declining variously suggested breakfast foods , mushes , and porridges , Graham had just ordered his soft-boiled eggs and bacon , when Bert Wainwright drifted in with a casualness that Graham recognized as histrionic , when , five minutes later , in boudoir cap and delectable negligee , Ernestine Desten drifted in and expressed surprise at finding such a multitude of early risers . Later , as the three of them were rising from table , they greeted Lute Desten and Rita Wainwright arriving .