eight o'clock
The Earl selected an egg , tapped it , and asked his son what he thought of the crops -- did they want rain ? The two were breakfasting alone -- at the moment there was not even a man-servant in the room -- but Lord Fairholme had long ago established the golden rule that controversial topics were taboo during meals . Medenham laughed outright at the sudden change of topic . He remembered that Dale was sent to bed in the Green Dragon Hotel at eight o'clock , and he had not the least doubt that his father 's ukase was really a dodge to secure an undisturbed dinner . But he was under no delusions because of this placid meeting in the breakfast-room . There was thunder in the air . Tomkinson had warned him of it overnight .