Four o'clock
And all this time , beneath the very floor of the room where they laughed , the plans of the coalition ripened . In the course of breakfast upon the following morning , Heriot startled his junior partner by announcing his intention of putting in a strenuous day 's work at the office . Andrew exchanged a curious glance with Mrs. Dunbar , and then merely inquired -- `` When will you be back ? '' `` Four o'clock , '' said Heriot cheerfully . `` Quite long enough hours for a man of my age '' -LRB- he smiled humorously at his son -RRB- . `` Of course there 's sure to be a lot of things to put right , and so on '' -LRB- Andrew raised a startled eye -RRB- , `` but I 'll polish 'em off by four . '' He ate a remarkably hearty breakfast and strode off blithely , this time a few minutes ahead of his partner .