one o'clock
`` I do n't expect you to get them all correct the first day . If you 're in any doubt all you 've got to do is to ask one of the young ladies . '' Mr. Sampson turned away ; and Philip , trying to remember where this or the other department was , watched anxiously for the customer in search of information . At one o'clock he went up to dinner . The dining-room , on the top floor of the vast building , was large , long , and well lit ; but all the windows were shut to keep out the dust , and there was a horrid smell of cooking . There were long tables covered with cloths , with big glass bottles of water at intervals , and down the centre salt cellars and bottles of vinegar . The assistants crowded in noisily , and sat down on forms still warm from those who had dined at twelve-thirty .