six o'clock
His meals were served at the same minute every day , and wo to those who came late , as little Pen , a disorderly little rascal , sometimes did . Prayers were recited , his letters were read , his business dispatched , his stables and garden inspected , his hen-houses and kennel , his barn and pigstye visited , always at regular hours . After dinner he always had a nap with the Globe newspaper on his knee , and his yellow bandanna handkerchief on his face -LRB- Major Pendennis sent the yellow handkerchiefs from India , and his brother had helped in the purchase of his majority , so that they were good friends now -RRB- . And so , as his dinner took place at six o'clock to a minute , and the sunset business alluded to may be supposed to have occurred at about half-past seven , it is probable that he did not much care for the view in front of his lawn windows , or take any share in the poetry and caresses which were taking place there . They seldom occurred in his presence . However frisky they were before , mother and child were hushed and quiet when Mr. Pendennis walked into the drawing room , his newspaper under his arm . And here , while little Pen , buried in a great chair , read all the books of which he could lay hold , the squire perused his own articles in the `` Gardener 's Gazette , '' or took a solemn hand at picquet with Mrs. Pendennis , or an occasional friend from the village .