His meals were served at the same minute every day, and woe to those who came late, as little Pen, a disorderly little rascal, sometimes did.

Prayers were recited, his letters were read, his business dispatched, his stables and garden inspected, his hen-houses and kennel, his barn and pigstye visited, always at regular hours.

After dinner he always had a nap with the Globe newspaper on his knee, and his yellow bandanna handkerchief on his face (Major Pendennis sent the yellow handkerchiefs from India, and his brother had helped in the purchase of his majority, so that they were good friends now).

And so, as his dinner took place at six o'clock to a minute, and the sunset business alluded to may be supposed to have occurred at about half-past seven, it is probable that he did not much care for the view in front of his lawn windows or take any share in the poetry and caresses which were taking place there.
They seldom occurred in his presence.

However frisky they were before, mother and child were hushed and quiet when Mr.Pendennis walked into the drawing-room, his newspaper under his arm.