four o’clock
He had made the house what it was , and had taken his brother into partnership when that brother married . All the family were somewhat afraid of him , including even his partner . He rarely came to the apartments in the Ludwigs Strasse , as he himself lived in one of the older and shabbier suburbs on the other side of the town . Thither he always walked , starting punctually from the bank at four o'clock , and from thence he always walked in the morning , reaching the bank punctually at nine . His two nieces knew him well ; for on certain stated days they were wont to attend on him at his lodgings , where they would be regaled with cakes , and afterwards go with him to some old-fashioned beer-garden in his neighbourhood . But these festivities were of a sombre kind ; and if , on any occasion , circumstances prevented the fulfilment of the ceremony , neither of the girls would be loud in their lamentations . In London , a visit paid by a niece to her uncle would , in all probability , be made at the uncle 's private residence ; but at Munich private and public matters were not so effectually divided .