about three
o'clock
The one fine rig-out in which he made his public appearances was most carefully preserved . Indoors he always promptly assumed a dressing-gown , a skull cap with a gold tassel , and his great porcelain pipe . His meals he cooked for himself . Never did he leave his house until about three o'clock . Then , spick and span , exquisitely appointed , he sauntered forth swinging his malacca cane . After a promenade of several hours he returned again to his dressing-gown , his porcelain pipe , and his books . Keith enjoyed hugely his detached , reflective , philosophical , spectator-of-life conversation .