half past
nine
Another of his characteristics -- no use of superlatives . A cool calm medium always . ` Is there anything more I can have the honour of doing for you , sir ? The warning-bell will ring at nine ; the family take breakfast at half past nine . ' ` Nothing , I thank you . ' ` I thank YOU , sir , if you please ' ; and with that , and with a little inclination of his head when he passed the bed-side , as an apology for correcting me , he went out , shutting the door as delicately as if I had just fallen into a sweet sleep on which my life depended . Every morning we held exactly this conversation : never any more , and never any less : and yet , invariably , however far I might have been lifted out of myself over-night , and advanced towards maturer years , by Steerforth 's companionship , or Mrs. Steerforth 's confidence , or Miss Dartle 's conversation , in the presence of this most respectable man I became , as our smaller poets sing , ` a boy again ' .