eight o’clock
Armstrong the elder , with that wholesale want of worldly wisdom which distinguished him , had arranged that Paul should have a room in Mrs. Bryne 's house , with breakfast and supper on week-days and whole board on Sundays , on terms which fitted accurately with his earnings . He gave Paul a pound for pocket-money , and went away without a thought as to what the lad was to do for his daily dinner . This admirable business arrangement bore fruit , of course . At eight o'clock on a February morning Paul presented himself at the office . The day was foggy and bitter . The street-lamps were alight , and all the shops yet open were dull yellow with gas-lamps in the fog . He had to ask his way several times , and only one passenger in four or five took any notice of him , but he reached his destination as some neighbouring church clock boomed the hour out of the nowhere of the upper air .