half past eight
They laced them as they ran along to the shop in Oxford Street for breakfast . If they were a minute later than eight they got none , nor , once in , were they allowed out to get themselves anything to eat . Sometimes , if they knew they could not get into the building in time , they stopped at the little shop near their quarters and bought a couple of buns ; but this cost money , and most went without food till dinner . Philip ate some bread and butter , drank a cup of tea , and at half past eight began his day 's work again . `` First to the right . Second on the left , madam . '' Soon he began to answer the questions quite mechanically .