nine
o'clock
Frank learned that Ruthven had now left Dr. Parker 's for good , and that he was going down after the holidays to a clergyman who prepared six or eight boys for the army . Before dinner the footman returned with half a dozen of the best cases from the shop , which were brought up to Dick 's room , and the latter was delighted with them . They greatly enjoyed their dinner together . At nine o'clock a servant came up and took down the cases . Five minutes later he returned again with a message , saying that Sir James wished Mr. Richard and his friend to go down into the dining room . Frank was not shy , but he felt it rather a trial when he entered the room , where seven or eight gentlemen were sitting round the table , the ladies having already withdrawn . The gentlemen were engaged in examining and admiring the cases of stuffed birds and animals .