eight o’clock
I should like you to give Kolia his first lesson in Russian grammar at ten o'clock , and a lesson in history at two . I do n't want him to have any lessons tomorrow , as it will be his name-day , but I would like you to begin today . '' Nejdanov bowed his head , and Sipiagin took leave of him in the French fashion , quickly lifting his hand several times to his lips and nose , and walked away , whistling and waving his cane energetically , not at all like an important official and state dignitary , but like a jolly Russian country gentleman . Until eight o'clock Nejdanov stayed in the garden , enjoying the shadows cast by the old trees , the fresh air , the singing of the birds , until the sound of a gong called him to the house . On his entrance he found the whole company already assembled in the dining room . Valentina Mihailovna greeted him in a friendly manner ; she seemed to him marvellously beautiful in her morning gown . Mariana looked stern and serious as usual .