half past seven
o'clock
We 'll be on the look-out . '' Then he prepared a nice bed of ashes , laid the chestnuts in carefully , and covered them up artistically , first with ashes and then with coals . Matilda watched the process with great interest , and a little wonder what Mr. Richmond would think of it . However , he had said that he was likely to be out for some time , and it was now only half past seven o'clock . The fire burned gently , and the ash-bed of chestnuts looked very promising . `` What was it you said was jolly , when you came and sat down on the rug here , Norton ? '' `` I do n't know . ''