nine o'clock
After all , it was a good thing to have some one about who could think of shutters , even though the fog had drawn back to a low , smoke-colored fold that softly encircled the horizon , and the gulls were cresting the waves with their white wings . It was only when they had guests at the Mill Farm that a seven o'clock breakfast was served , and as yet Sylvia was accounted one of that privileged class . Thinkright had asked her when she arrived at what hour it was her custom to breakfast , and she had shrugged her shoulders . `` Father and I never liked to take it before nine o'clock , '' she said , `` but it made the landlady so cross that when we owed for board we usually tried to get down by half past eight . '' Thinkright smiled at this . `` Here you can go to bed earlier , '' he returned . `` We will try breakfast at seven o'clock . ''