eight o'clock
-LRB- Taking one year with another , we did so . -RRB- So he gave up his own dear old Cid , and only used the same horses that had sufficed for our predecessor -- a most real loss and deprivation -- and he chose to take meals at the long table in the keeping-room with the farm servants . He said we girls might dine in our little parlour apart , but there was no bearing that , and the whole household dined and supped together . Breakfast was at such uncertain times that we left that for the back kitchen , and had our own little round table by the fire , or in the parlour , at half-past seven ; and so we took care to have a good cup of coffee for Fulk when he came in about five or six ; but the half-past twelve dinner and eight o'clock supper were at the long table , our three selves and Baby at the top -- Baby between me and Mrs. Rowe -LRB- `` Ally 's Rowe , '' as he called her -RRB- , then George and Susan Sisson opposite each other , the under nurse , the two maids , the hind , and the three lads . I believe it was a very awful penance to them at first . We used to hear them splashing away at the pump and puffing like porpoises ; and they came in with shining faces and lank hair in wet rats ' tails , the foremost of which they pulled on all occasions of sitting down , getting up , or being offered food . But they always behaved very well , and the habit of the animal at feeding-time is so silent that I believe the restraint was compensated by the honour ; and it did civilise them , thanks , perhaps , to Susan 's lectures on manners , which we sometimes overheard .