noon
At half-past six they had , between them , drunk five cups of tea and eaten four eggs , four slices of bacon , and about a pound and a half of bread . Simeon , with what was surely an exaggeration of imperturbability , charged his pipe , and began to smoke . They had forty minutes in which to catch the Loop-Line train , even if it was prompt . There would then be forty minutes to wait at Knype for the London express , which arrived at Euston considerably before noon . After which there would be a clear ninety minutes before the business itself -- and less than a quarter of a mile to walk ! Yes , there was a rich and generous margin for all conceivable delays and accidents . `` The porter ought to be coming , '' said Simeon .