seven o'clock
Mrs. Jackson glanced at her husband with pained astonishment , but further argument was prevented by the arrival of Colonel and Mrs. Clibborn , and Mary . Colonel Clibborn was a tall man , with oily black hair and fierce eyebrows , both dyed ; aggressively military and reminiscent He had been in a cavalry regiment , where he had come to the philosophic conclusion that all men are dust -- except cavalry-men ; and he was able to look upon Jamie 's prowess -- the prowess of an infantryman -- from superior heights . He was a great authority upon war , and could tell anyone what were the mistakes in South Africa , and how they might have been avoided ; likewise he had known in the service half the peers of the realm , and talked of them by their Christian names . He spent three weeks every season in London , and dined late , at seven o'clock , so he had every qualification for considering himself a man of fashion . `` I do n't know what they 'd do in Little Primpton without us , '' he said . `` It 's only us who keep it alive . '' But Mrs. Clibborn missed society .