The normal hour for dinner was half-past six.

He had arrived on this occasion at half-past seven, and had paid a shilling extra to the cabman to drive him quick.
The man, having a lame horse, had come very slowly, fidgeting Mr.Grey into additional temporary discomfort.

He had got his additional shilling, and Mr.Grey had only additional discomfort.

"I declare I think he is the wickedest old man the world ever produced." This he said as Dolly followed him upstairs; but Dolly, wiser than her father, would say nothing about the wicked old man in the servants' hearing.
In five minutes Mr.Grey came down "dressed,"-- by the use of which word was implied the fact that he had shaken his neckcloth, washed his hands and face, and put on his slippers.

It was understood in the household that, though half-past six was the hour named for dinner, half-past seven was a much more probable time.