three o’clock
He decided to celebrate his holiday by taking a walk ; his destination being the central telegraph office in London . But , before he left the house , his domestic duties claimed attention . He issued his orders to the cook . At three o'clock he would return to dinner . That day was to witness the celebration of his first regular meat for forty-eight hours past ; and he expected the strictest punctuality . The cook -- lately engaged -- was a vigourous little woman , with fiery hair and a high colour . She , like the man-servant , felt the genial influence of her master 's amiability .