seven o'clock
Mallard was in Grainger 's room , sprawled out on the bed , talking to him and smoking , whilst the latter was opening a leather trunk which contained some bottles of whisky and soda water , and a small box which held the remains of the ice . `` We ca n't let this ` melt on as , ' as the Irish would say , Mallard , '' and he placed it in the toilet basin in its covering of blanket . `` Now move your lazy self and break a piece off with your knife , whilst I open this bottle of Kinahan 's and some soda . I trust the cultured family will not object to the sound of a cork popping at seven o'clock . '' `` Not they , '' said Mallard , as he rose ; `` they would not mind if you took the whisky to the table and drank it out of the bottle . Oh , I can gauge the old dame pretty well , I think ; avarice is writ large in her face , and she 'll squeeze us all she can . She told me in a mysterious aside that the butler kept all the very best wines and liquor obtainable .