eight o'clock
You understand , old boy . TOM . '' And so for many years , Tom Gerrard kept away from Marumbah , till his step-sister and Westonley wrote , and urged him to visit them . Breakfast was served punctually at eight o'clock , and Tom Gerrard , whose equanimity was now quite restored , took his seat opposite his sister with a smiling face , and in a few minutes , under the sunshine of his genial manner , Mrs Westonley , much against her own inclination , began to thaw , and presently found herself chatting quite pleasantly with him . `` I 've sprung myself on you two or three days before you expected me , Lizzie , but I 'm sure you do n't mind . '' `` Indeed no , Thomas . I am very glad I wish Edward was here , but the mailman may bring me a letter from him this morning .