eight o'clock
` Tis n't half as bad whin it 's out . '' However , the storms were few and far between . The household lived by rule . Every morning , winter and summer , the horses were at the door by eight o'clock for the morning canter of the General and Miss Nelly in the park . At nine o'clock the household assembled for prayers . After breakfast Sir Denis walked to his club in Pall Mall , wet or dry . He would read the papers and discuss the cheeseparing policy of the Government with some of his old chums , lunch at the club , play a game of dominoes or draughts , and return home in time for dinner .