a quarter past eight
Well , it is time to dress for dinner . I only hope that old clown of a clergyman wo n't do something ridiculous . I shall have to apologise for him . '' Dinner-time had come ; it was a quarter past eight , and the room was filled with highly bred people all more or less distinguished . Mr. Granger had duly appeared , arrayed in his threadbare black coat , relieved , however , by a pair of Geoffrey 's dress shoes . As might have been expected , the great folk did not seem surprised at his presence , or to take any particular notice of his attire , the fact being that such people never are surprised . A Zulu chief in full war dress would only excite a friendly interest in their breasts .