six o'clock
One of the figures hailed him in disconsolate tones , -- `` Oh , papa ! are you home so soon ? '' `` So soon ? '' he answered , as well as he could for coughing ; `` it 's six o'clock now . Is dinner ready ? What are you doing out here ? '' It took but a moment to explain the matter , and then the doctor showed that it was not without reason that Polly called him the best father in the world .