eight o'clock
Chow 's fondness for experimenting with weird dishes was a standing joke around Enterprises . The boys ate their meal hungrily . As they were finishing , Tom glanced at the big clock on the wall . It was now well past eight o'clock . `` Wonder why Dad has n't come to the lab , '' he remarked . `` I 'd better call and find out if he 's all right . '' Tom picked up the telephone and asked the operator for the direct line to the Swifts ' home .