nine o'clock
For she knew Sir Coupland before he had his knighthood . Thereon the other groom is starting to summon him , but she stops him . She will go herself ; then the great man will be sure to come at once . * * * * * Sir Coupland Ellicott Merridew , F.R.S. , F.R.C.S. , F.R.C.P. , etc. -- a whole alphabet of them -- was enjoying this moment of the first unalloyed holiday he had had for two years , by lying in bed till nine o'clock . If it made him too late for the collective breakfast in the new dining-room -- late Jacobean -- he had only to ring for a private subsection for himself . He had had a small cup of coffee at eight , and was congratulating himself on it , and was now absolutely in a position not to give any consideration to anything whatever . But cruel Destiny said No !