eight o’clock
Six months later , his Thursday visit had become , in his way of thinking , a duty : he went to the Arcade of the Pont Neuf , just as he went every morning to his office , that is to say mechanically , and with the instinct of a brute . From this moment , the gatherings became charming . At seven o'clock Madame Raquin lit the fire , set the lamp in the centre of the table , placed a box of dominoes beside it , and wiped the tea service which was in the sideboard . Precisely at eight o'clock old Michaud and Grivet met before the shop , one coming from the Rue de Seine , and the other from the Rue Mazarine . As soon as they entered , all the family went up to the first floor . There , in the dining-room , they seated themselves round the table waiting for Olivier Michaud and his wife who always arrived late . When the party was complete , Madame Raquin poured out the tea .