three o'clock, an hour later
It was his custom to lunch with his sons in the private parlor of Mr. Clarence 's suit of rooms at the North End Hotel , every day at two o'clock . To-day , however , he showed no disposition to eat or drink . And although the two younger men were famishing for food they dared not go to lunch without him , or even urge him to make an effort to go with them . It was then three o'clock , an hour later than their usual hour , that Mr. Rockharrt made a movement in the desired way by rising , stretching his limbs , and saying : `` We will go over to the hotel and get something to eat . '' The three men crossed the street and went directly to Mr. Clarence 's room , where the table for luncheon was set out . But there was nothing on it but cut bread , casters , and condiments , for these men always preferred hot luncheon in cold weather , and it was yet to be dished up . The Iron King was not in a humor to wait .