midday
On Saturday Germany declared war on Russia . In Sunday 's papers Sabre read of the panic run on the banks , people fighting to convert their notes into gold . One London bank had suspended payment . Many had shut out failure only by minutes when midday permitted them to close their doors . People were besieging the provision shops to lay in stores of food . And poured in flames upon the hearth of every man 's concerns ... . All his concerns , the crisis with Nona , with his honour and his love , that awaited determination , were disputed their place in his mind by the incredible and enormous events that each new hour discharged upon the world .