five o'clock precisely
And shortly after noon Mrs Blackshaw would be keeping an eye on the thermometer in the bedroom where the bath occurred . From four o'clock onwards the clocks in the house were spied on and overlooked like suspected persons ; but they were used to that , because the baby had his sterilized milk every two hours . I have at length allowed you to penetrate the secret of his sex . And so at five o'clock precisely the august and exciting ceremony began in the best bedroom . A bright fire was burning -LRB- the month being December -RRB- , and the carefully-shaded electric lights were also burning . A large bath-towel was spread in a convenient place on the floor , and on the towel were two chairs facing each other , and a table . On one chair was the bath , and on the other was Mrs Blackshaw with her sleeves rolled up , and on Mrs Blackshaw was another towel , and on that towel was Roger -LRB- the baby -RRB- .