four o'clock
He had said multitudinous `` paters '' and `` aves , '' had repeated `` Hail Marys '' by the score -- all the while half thinking of something else ; but never once in his inmost soul had he said to the Lord -- `` Saviour , I am weak ; make me strong . '' A few minutes ' silence , and Mr Roberts turned back to the accounts , half-ashamed that he had allowed that glimpse of his true self to be seen . And Roger Hall said no more , except to God . The master went home to supper at four o'clock . Ten was then the hour for dinner , four for supper ; people who kept late hours made it eleven and five . As Mr Roberts came in sight of his own door , his heart sank down into his shoes . On the door-step stood a black-robed figure which he knew only too well , and which he would gladly have given a handful of gold to know he might have no chance of seeing for a month to come .