nearly five o'clock
Did one ever hear of such a thing ? Sixty pounds ... Never mind , it marked an occasion . The ruby smiled at Peter as it was slipped into its case ; it was glad that it was going to somebody who had n't very many things . He had several other matters to settle and it was nearly five o'clock when he turned out of Knightsbridge down Sloane Street . The sun was slipping behind the Hyde Park Hotel so that already the shadows were lying along the lower parts of the houses although the roofs were bright with sunshine . It was the hour when all the dogs were taken for the last exercise of the day . Every kind , of dog was there , but especially the fat and pampered variety -- Poms , King Charles , Pekinese , Dachshunds -- a few bigger dogs , and even one mournful-eyed Dane who walked with melancholy superiority , as a king amongst his vassals .