eight o'clock
But there was beauty there , wonderful and startling beauty that would one day blossom forth . It was in the bud as yet , but the bud was near to opening . They were at breakfast in the comfortable , shabby old morning-room at Buddesby . It was eight o'clock , and John had been afield for a couple of hours and had come back with his appetite sharp set . They rose early at Buddesby . Constance had been at her housewifely duties since soon after six . Only Ellice had lain abed till the ringing of the breakfast-bell .