eight o’clock
Frances found in this business occupation till tea-time , and then , after I had distinctly instructed her how to make a cup of tea in rational English style , and after she had got over the dismay occasioned by seeing such an extravagant amount of material put into the pot , she administered to me a proper British repast , at which there wanted neither candles nor urn , firelight nor comfort . Our week 's holiday glided by , and we readdressed ourselves to labour . Both my wife and I began in good earnest with the notion that we were working people , destined to earn our bread by exertion , and that of the most assiduous kind . Our days were thoroughly occupied ; we used to part every morning at eight o'clock , and not meet again till five P.M. ; but into what sweet rest did the turmoil of each busy day decline ! Looking down the vista of memory , I see the evenings passed in that little parlour like a long string of rubies circling the dusky brow of the past . Unvaried were they as each cut gem , and like each gem brilliant and burning . A year and a half passed .