four o'clock
Another curious incident happened later in the day . At lunch-time the junior partner left the office , and , without giving an explanation , remained absent through the afternoon . Not that Heriot missed him . He smoked and wrote and rallied Mr. Thomieson , and dictated letters which left his confidential clerk divided between the extremes of admiration for their shrewdness and horror at the terse and lively style in which they were couched ; in short , he got through a day 's work that sent him home at four o'clock in the best of spirits . Andrew met him in the hall . `` Hullo , '' said Heriot , `` where have you been all this time ? '' `` I want to speak to you for a minute , '' his son replied , and then , as his father turned naturally towards the library door , stayed him .