half past six
The house remained as it had been in their mother 's lifetime , the furniture was the same and stood in the same places , the table knew no modern enhancement of its solidly handsome fittings . Fong , the Chinese cook -- he had been with George Alston before he married -- ruled the kitchen and the two `` second boys . '' No women servants were employed ; women servants had not been a feature of domestic life in Bonanza days . That was why the house was lit by chandeliers instead of lamps , that was why dinner was at half past six instead of seven , that was why George Alston 's daughters had rather `` dropped out . '' They would not move with the times , they would not be brought up to date . Friends of their mother 's had tried to do it , rustled into the long drawing-room and masterfully attempted to assist and direct . But they had found Lorry unresponsive , listening but showing no desire to profit by the chance .