five o'clock
And to think I ever had the nerve -- the _ nerve _ ! '' He swung himself to a sitting posture , sat gazing into space for a few moments , then continued to undress by pulling off one shoe , lighting a cigarette , and regarding his other foot fixedly . That is the manner in which the vast majority of young men do their deepest thinking . However , before five o'clock he had scrubbed himself and arrayed his well constructed person in fresh linen and outer clothing ; and now he sauntered out through the hallway and down the stairs to the rear drawing-room , where a tea-table had been brought in and tea paraphernalia arranged . Although the lamp under the kettle had been lighted , nobody was in the room except a West Highland terrier curled up on a lounge , who , without lifting his snow-white head , regarded Neeland out of the wisest and most penetrating eyes the young man had ever encountered . Here was a personality ! Here was a dog not to be approached lightly or with flippant familiarity .