hour from half past
six
He would run about on his tottering fat legs , and he could say , `` Mammy Lizzie , '' also , `` Pa-pa , '' as had been carefully taught him by his conscientious nurse . At which papa had been at first excessively surprised , then gratified , and had at last taken kindly to the appellation as a matter of course . It inaugurated a new era in Peter Ascott 's life . At first twice a week , and then every day , he sent up for `` Master Ascott '' to keep him company at dessert ; he then changed his dinner hour from half past six to five , because Elizabeth , with her stern sacrifice of every thing to the child 's good , had suggested to him , humbly but firmly , that late hours kept little Henry too long out of his bed . He gave up his bottle of port and his after-dinner sleep , and took to making water-lilies and caterpillars out of oranges and boats out of walnut shells , for his boy 's special edification . Sometimes when , at half past six , Elizabeth , punctual as clock-work , knocked at the dining room door , she heard father and son laughing together in a most jovial manner , though the decanters were in their places and the wine glasses untouched . And even after the child disappeared , the butler declared that master usually took quietly to his newspaper , or rang for his tea , or perhaps dozed harmlessly in his chair till bedtime .