eight o'clock
But why should the old father have disliked to excite his son 's surprise and curiosity ? Why , indeed , when he had laughed at the notion of John 's being capable of minding his doing as he pleased . Valentine pondered over this as he locked up his property . It was not yet eight o'clock , and as he put out the candle he had lighted to count his notes by -LRB- for the March morning was dark -RRB- , he heard wheels , and , on going down , met John in the hall . He had come in before the breakfast-hour , as had often been his custom when he meant to breakfast with his father . John 's countenance showed a certain agitation . Valentine observing it , gave him a quiet , matter-of-fact greeting , and talked of the weather .