half past nine
Then , in the evening when the assistants left , he had to put back the sheets on the models and the cases and ` gang ' the sweepers again . It was a dusty , dirty job . He was not allowed to read or write or smoke , but just had to walk about , and the time hung heavily on his hands . When he went off at half past nine he had supper given him , and this was the only consolation ; for tea at five o'clock had left him with a healthy appetite , and the bread and cheese , the abundant cocoa which the firm provided , were welcome . One day when Philip had been at Lynn 's for three months , Mr. Sampson , the buyer , came into the department , fuming with anger . The manager , happening to notice the costume window as he came in , had sent for the buyer and made satirical remarks upon the colour scheme . Forced to submit in silence to his superior 's sarcasm , Mr. Sampson took it out of the assistants ; and he rated the wretched fellow whose duty it was to dress the window .